Bill > HB296

This bill, known as the Beagle Freedom Act, establishes new regulations for the treatment of dogs and cats in research and breeding facilities in Pennsylvania. The bill prohibits dealers and kennels from selling dogs or cats bred by individuals who have received recent citations from the US Department of Agriculture for animal welfare violations, such as critical violations or repeated non-critical violations. It requires persons, kennels, and animal testing facilities to offer dogs and cats for adoption through a releasing agency if the animals are no longer needed and do not pose health or safety risks, giving facilities up to 21 days to find adoption options before euthanasia. The bill mandates detailed recordkeeping for facilities raising animals for research, including tracking the origin, disposition, medical care, and offspring of each animal. Additionally, it provides whistleblower protections for employees who report potential violations of the act, the Dog Law, or federal animal transportation regulations. Facilities must submit annual reports to the Department of Agriculture detailing adoption efforts, and the department will provide an annual summary to legislative committees. Violations of the act constitute a third-degree misdemeanor, and the bill will take effect 120 days after its passage.