Governor Josh Shapiro has signed bipartisan legislation establishing new protections for dogs and cats used in laboratory research, restricting taxpayer-funded animal experiments and creating opportunities for research animals to be adopted.
Senate Bill 381, known as the “Beagle Bill,” passed unanimously in both the Pennsylvania House and Senate and is now Act 92 of 2026.
The legislation was sponsored by Republican State Senator Doug Mastriano of Franklin County and Democratic State Senator Carolyn Comitta of Chester County, with support from the bipartisan Pennsylvania Animal Protection Caucus.
Under the new law, research laboratories must offer eligible dogs and cats for adoption for at least 30 days after experiments conclude, providing an alternative to euthanasia.
The measure also restricts Commonwealth funding for painful experiments involving dogs and cats, protects whistleblowers who report animal cruelty and allows state funding to be suspended for research projects that fail to meet oversight requirements.
Research facilities must also prominently display a link to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Care Public Search Tool, allowing the public to review inspection reports, annual reports and enforcement actions.
Additional provisions restrict animal testing involving cosmetics and the sale of newly animal-tested cosmetics beginning January 1, 2027.
According to USDA figures cited by lawmakers, more than 40,000 dogs and 10,000 cats were used in research facilities nationwide in 2024. In Pennsylvania, 12 facilities reported using more than 3,000 dogs and cats in experiments.
Mastriano said the legislation strengthens animal welfare protections while increasing accountability for taxpayer-funded research.
“The Beagle Bill protects these animals, respects Pennsylvania taxpayers and keeps our government transparent,” Mastriano said, thanking Comitta and fellow lawmakers for their support.
State Representative Melissa Shusterman, a Chester County Democrat and founder of the Pennsylvania Animal Protection Caucus, called the legislation a major achievement after years of advocacy. “This is a tremendous step forward and an historic commitment to animal welfare in our Commonwealth,” Shusterman said.
The legislation comes as federal agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency, pursue alternatives to traditional animal testing.
With the governor’s signature, Pennsylvania has established additional safeguards for laboratory animals while expanding transparency and oversight of research facilities across the Commonwealth.