A bill aimed at strengthening protections for animals used in research is now one step away from becoming law in Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania House unanimously approved legislation Monday that would place new restrictions on animal testing, prohibit the sale of cosmetics newly tested on animals, and create new requirements for the adoption of research animals once testing is complete.
The effort traces back to 2022, when State Representative Ryan Bizzarro, introduced a package of animal welfare bills following the discovery of troubling conditions at a Virginia research breeding facility that became the subject of a federal investigation.
Under the legislation, research facilities would be required to offer cats and dogs used in testing programs the opportunity to be adopted into permanent homes when appropriate. The bill would also increase oversight of testing facilities, allow the Attorney General’s Office to pursue violators more aggressively, and cut off state funding for facilities that fail to comply with the law.
“I’ve been working on this legislation for the past five years, ever since the horrific scene at a research breeding facility in Virginia,” Bizzarro said. “All the animals in that case were saved, and while that story had a happy ending, we need to make sure something like this doesn’t happen in Pennsylvania.”
Bizzarro said the legislation is designed to ensure animals used in testing have a chance to find loving homes while holding facilities accountable for their treatment and care.
The issue has a local connection in Erie. Following the Virginia rescue operation, the ANNA Shelter took in 50 rescued beagles and successfully found homes for each of them. The shelter has also partnered with Bizzarro on Ryan’s Rescues Program, which helps cover adoption fees for veterans.
A longtime advocate for animal welfare, Bizzarro previously helped author Libre’s Law in 2017, which strengthened Pennsylvania’s animal cruelty statutes and placed restrictions on tethering dogs outdoors.
With the measure now approved by both the House and Senate, the bill heads to Governor Josh Shapiro’s desk, where it awaits his signature to become law.