SB 535

Abstract

Oversight of research breeders; Animal WelfareOversight Officer; Animal Welfare Oversight Advisory Committee; civilpenalty. Directs the State Veterinarian to hire an Animal WelfareOversight Officer to inspect and oversee the operations of researchbreeders, defined in the bill as a person or entity that breeds dogsor cats for sale or transfer for use in testing or research withinor outside the Commonwealth, and report any violations of state orfederal law by the research breeder. The bill requires each researchbreeder to register with the Animal Welfare Oversight Officer, paya registration fee as determined by the Commissioner of Agricultureand Consumer Services, and allow the Animal Welfare Oversight Officer continuous access to its facilities located in the Commonwealth.The bill subjects a research breeder that does not register, paythe fee, or allow the Animal Welfare Oversight Officer access toits facilities to a civil penalty of $1,000 for each day of noncompliance.The bill also establishes an Animal Welfare Oversight Advisory Committee.