Legislation

Paws Up for More Just Laws

Make your voice heard! The law is an important tool in the fight to end nonhuman animal experimentation. Urge your legislators to support laws that recognize the interests of nonhuman animals and protect them from human use and exploitation.

Federal Bills

H.R. 1024: The Humane and Existing Alternatives in Research and Testing Sciences Act of 2022 (“HEARTS Act of 2022”). 

This bill would amend the Public Health Service Act to ensure that nonanimal methods are prioritized where applicable and feasible, in proposals for all research to be conducted or supported by the NIH, to provide for the establishment of the National Center for Alternatives in Research and Testing.

Sponsors:

  • Representatives

Status:

  • 2/14: Introduced into Congress; referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  • House Committee on Energy and Commerce members:

H.R. 4757 [The CARGO Act]: To amend the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the NIH from awarding any support for an activity or program that uses live animals in research unless the research occurs in the U.S.

This bill would prohibit the NIH from funding animal research in other countries.

Sponsors:

  • Representatives:

Status:

    • 7/19: Introduced in House.
    • 7/19: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  • House Committee on Energy and Commerce members:

S. 2555, H.R. 5041 [The Better CARE for Animals Act of 2023]: To amend the Animal Welfare Act to expand and improve the enforcement capabilities of the Attorney General.

This bill would enhance collaboration between the DOJ and USDA, enabling the DOJ to enforce the AWA more effectively.

Sponsors:

Representatives:

Status:

  • 7/27: Introduced in House.
  • 7/27: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
  • House Committee on Agriculture members:

S. 778 [The Cost Openness and Spending Transparency (COST) Act]: To require the disclosure of information relating to the cost of programs, projects, or activities carried out using Federal funds.

This bill would require public disclosure of the total cost to taxpayers for every project supported with federal funds.

Sponsors:

  • Representatives:
  • Senators:

Status:

  • 3/14: Senate – Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  • Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee members:

State Bills

Assembly Bill 357: An act to amend Section 1834.9 of the Civil Code, relating to animal testing.

This bill would revise an existing law – which requires the use of alternative, nonanimal testing methods in certain circumstances – by updating the definition of an alternative test method, expanding the types of products to which the law applies, and requiring the reporting of information about the use of alternative test methods. This bill would not affect the use of animals for biomedical research.

Sponsors:

  • Assembly Members:

Status:  

    • 2/2: From printer—may be heard in committee March 4.
    • 2/9: Referred to Judiciary Committee.
  • 3/8: From committee chair, with author’s amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on JUD. Read second time and amended.
  • 3/14: Set for hearing, 9am; From committee – Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR.
  • 3/15: Read second time and amended.
  • 3/16: Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
  • 5/18: From committee: Do pass. Read second time; ordered to third reading.
  • 5/25: Read third time and amended. Ordered to third reading.
  • 5/31: Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate.
  • 6/1: In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
  • 6/14: Referred to Com. on JUD.
  • 6/28: From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 0). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
    • Hearing scheduled for 8/14.
  • 8/14: In committee: Referred to APPR suspense file.
  • 9/1: 
    • From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended.
    • Read second time and amended. Ordered Returned to second reading.
  • 9/5: Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
  • 9/6:
    • Read third time. Ordered to Assembly.
    • In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. May be considered on or after September 8 pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.

Senate Docket 2181: An Act promoting humane cosmetics and other household products by limiting the use of animal testing.

This bill, introduced by Massachusetts State Senator Mark Montigny and Representative Jack Patrick Lewis, would reduce the use of animals in cosmetics and household product testing by requiring manufacturers to use valid alternative (i.e., non-animal) test methods for  product, product formulation, chemical, or ingredient testing whenever such alternatives are available. This bill would not affect the use of animals for biomedical research.

Sponsors:

  • Senators:
    • Mark Montigny (Second Bristol and Plymouth)
    • John F. Keenan (Norfolk and Plymouth)
    • Patrick O’Connor (First Plymouth and Norfolk)
  • Representatives:
    • Brian M. Ashe (2nd Hampden)
    • Michelle DuBois (10th Plymouth)
    • Sean Garballey (23rd Middlesex)
    • Denise C. Garlick (13th Norfolk)
    • Jessica Ann Giannino (16th Suffolk)
    • Natalie M. Higgins (4th Worcester)
    • Vanna Howard (17th Middlesex)
    • David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf (17th Worcester)
    • John Patrick Lewis (7th Middlesex)
    • Adrian C. Madaro (1st Suffolk)
    • Paul McMurtry (11th Norfolk)
    • Samantha Montano (15th Suffolk)
    • Brian W. Murray (10th Worcester)
    • Steven Owens (29th Middlesex)
    • Edward R. Philips (8th Norfolk)
    • Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr. (12th Hampden)
    • Adrianne Pusateri Ramos (14th Essex)
    • Lindsay N. Sabadosa (1st Hampshire)
    • Thomas M. Stanley (9th Middlesex)
    • Steven George Xiarhos (5th Barnstable)

Status: 

  • 2/16:
    • Senate – Referred to the committee on Public Health.
      • Senate Public Health Committee members (JOINT):
        • Julian Cyr (Cape and Islands), Chair
        • Jacob R. Oliveria (Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester), Vice Chair
        • John F. Keehan (Norfolk and Plymouth)
        • Robyn K. Kennedy (First Worcester)
        • Pavel M. Payano (First Essex)
        • Patrick M. O’Connor (First Plymouth and Norfolk)
    • House – House concurred.
  • House Public Health Committee members (JOINT):
        • Majorie C. Decker (25th Middlesex), Chair
        • Sally P. Kerans (13th Essex)
        • Vanna Howard (17th Middlesex)
        • James C. Arena-DeRosa (8th Middlesex)
        • Brian M. Ashe (2nd Hampden)
        • Kristin E. Kassner (2nd Essex)
        • Judith A. Garcia (11th Suffolk)
        • Andres X. Vargas (3rd Essex)
        • Kay Khan (11th Middlesex)
        • Hannah Kane (11th Worcester), Ranking Minority
        • Marc T. Lombardo (22nd Middlesex)
  • 7/17: Hearing scheduled for 7/26 9AM-1PM

Senate Bill 148 (together with SB149, “Teddy’s Law”): Animals: research facilities; reporting requirements and penalties for noncompliance.

This bill would require labs performing animal testing to submit annual reports to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD)

Sponsors:

Status:

  • 3/7: Introduced; referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture.
  • Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture members:
  • 6/14: Reported favorably without amendment; referred to Committee on the Whole.
  • 6/28: Reported by Committee of the Whole favorably without amendment(s); placed on order of third reading; amendment(s) adopted; substitute (S-1) adopted; passed roll call # 424 Yeas 27 Nays 10 Excused 1 Not Voting
  • 6/28: Received by House; read a first time; referred to Committee on Agriculture.

Senate Bill 97-FN: An Act relative to the use of animals in product testing.

Sponsored by five state senators and three state representatives, this bill would reduce the use of animals for cosmetics and household product testing by requiring that appropriate alternative (i.e., non-animal) test methods or strategies be used for ingredient or product testing whenever such alternatives are available. This bill would not affect the use of animals for biomedical research. 

This bill would also require that manufacturers and contract testing facilities disclose all animal testing to the Attorney General.

Sponsors:

  • Senators: 
    • Debra Altschiller (District 24)
    • Jeb Bradley (District 03)
    • Shannon Chandley (District 11)
    • Donna Soucy (District 18)
    • David Watters (District 04)
  • Representatives:
    • Jane Beaulieu (Hillsborough – District 19)
    • Anita Burroughs (Carroll – District 2)
    • Ellen Read (Rockingham – District 10)

Status: 

  • 1/19: Introduced and referred to Senate Commerce Committee.
    • Senate Commerce Committee members:
      • Bill Gannon, Chairman (District 23)
      • Denise Ricciardi, Vice Chairman (District 09)
      • Shannon Chandley (District 11) [BILL SPONSOR]
      • Daniel Innis (District 07)
      • Donna Soucy (District 18) [BILL SPONSOR]
  • 1/24: Senate Commerce Committee hearing.
  • 2/15: Senate Commerce Committee report re-referred to Committee.
  • 2/22: Re-referred to Senate Commerce Committee.
    • Senate Commerce Committee members:
      • Bill Gannon, Chairman (District 23)
      • Denise Ricciardi, Vice Chairman (District 09)
      • Shannon Chandley (District 11) [BILL SPONSOR]
      • Daniel Innis (District 07)
      • Donna Soucy (District 18) [BILL SPONSOR]

House Bill 5559: Relating to Animals and Animal Husbandry – Cruelty to Animals.

This bill identifies “unnecessary” cosmetic testing as cruelty.

Sponsors:

  • Representative Serpa
  • Representative Edwards

Status:

  • House:
    • 2/15: Introduced, referred to House Health & Human Services
    • 3/31: Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration.
    • 4/4: Committee recommended measure be held for further study.
    • 6/6: Scheduled for consideration; proposed substitute.
    • 6/8: Committee recommends passage of Sub A.
    • 6/9: Placed on House Calendar.
    • 6/12: House passed Sub A.
    • 6/12: Referred to Senate Judiciary.

News About Legislation Protecting Animals in Labs

Congress Passes the FDA Modernization Act 2.0

The Rise for Animals Team, December 28, 2022
This Act eliminates a federal mandate, which has been in place since 1938, requiring FDA-approved drugs to have been tested on non-human animals.

The Animal Welfare Act Protects Just 5% of Animals in Labs

The Rise for Animals Team, December 5, 2022
The Animal Welfare Act is supposed to provide protections for animals in laboratories. So why are 95% of animals in labs exempt?

Lawmakers Are Pushing for Protections for Cephalopods

The Rise for Animals Team, October 13, 2022
Sensitive, intelligent cephalopods are increasingly used in research, but do not have any legal protections for humane care. A Congressional group wants to change that.