HB 580

Abstract

Task Force on Transparency in Publicly Funded Animal Testing Facilities; report. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to convene a Task Force on Transparency in Publicly Funded Animal Testing Facilities, consisting of legislators and stakeholders, for the purpose of identifying potential deficiencies in publicly funded animal testing facilities in the Commonwealth and recommending methods and context for making certain information about such animal testing facilities publicly available. The bill requires the Task Force to report its findings to certain committees of the General Assembly no later than November 1, 2024. This bill is identical to SB 411.

Animal testing facilities; public notification;report. Requires any animal testing facility, contract testingfacility, or manufacturer, as defined in relevant law, that uses an animal test method to make publicly available, on or before December1 for the preceding federal fiscal year, the total number of animalsused for research, education, testing, or experimental, scientific,or biomedical purposes. The bill requires the report to identifyand group such animals according to species (i) by displaying a linkto access such information on the homepage or landing page of theanimal testing facility's, contract facility's, or manufacturer'swebsite or (ii) if such animal testing facility does not have a website,by making such information available by means of a press releaseor other similar publication.