Bill > SB423

This bill, the Animal Research Modernization and Best Practices Act of 2026, aims to update regulations for research and testing facilities that use animals in Maryland. It prohibits these facilities from using dogs or cats that have undergone devocalization surgery, a procedure to silence an animal's vocal cords, and also forbids them from performing this surgery on dogs or cats themselves. Furthermore, testing facilities will be restricted from using traditional animal test methods, which involve live animals to assess the effects of substances or products, if an alternative test method, defined as a scientifically equivalent or superior method that does not use live animals, has been approved or a waiver from using traditional methods has been granted by the relevant regulatory agency, with specific exceptions for ongoing tests initiated before October 1, 2026, or for public health and safety requirements. The bill also extends existing requirements for the adoption of dogs and cats used in scientific research to testing facilities, mandating that these facilities make reasonable efforts to find adoptive homes for animals no longer needed for research, either through private placement or by working with approved animal rescue organizations. Finally, both research and testing facilities will be required to report annually on their animal usage, including the number of animals, types of tests conducted, and details of animal adoptions, with this information to be compiled into a public report by the Secretary.

Education

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0423?ys=2026RS