HARRISBURG – The state Senate today unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) and Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-19) aimed at protecting dogs and cats from painful, taxpayer-funded experiments.
The protections Senate Bill 381, also known as the Beagle Bill, include:
- Prohibiting Commonwealth funds from being used to conduct painful experiments on dogs and cats.
- Requiring labs to offer animals for adoption for at least 30 days and does not require euthanasia.
- Protecting whistleblowers who expose animal cruelty in labs.
- Allowing state funding for non-compliant research projects to be suspended by legislative or executive action.
- Requiring animal testing facilities to prominently post a link to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Care Public Search Tool.
- Prohibiting the testing and sale of animal-tested cosmetics effective Jan. 1, 2027.
“These animals who have faced or continue to face cruel experimentation methods are creatures put on this earth by God and should be treated with care and compassion,” Mastriano said. “The Beagle Bill protects these animals, respects Pennsylvania taxpayers and keeps our government transparent. I would like to thank my colleagues for their support on this critical legislation, especially Sen. Carolyn Comitta who worked alongside me and helped this bill come to fruition.”
Senate Bill 381 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.
CONTACT: Don Beishl