SB 423 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Research Facilities and Testing Facilities That Use Animals - Prohibitions and Adoption Requirements (Animal Research Modernization and Best Practices Act of 2026)

SB 423 prohibits Maryland research and testing facilities from using dogs and cats for research or testing, banning specific procedures on these animals. It requires facilities to adopt alternative methods - such as in vitro testing, computational models, or high-throughput screening - when scientifically valid options exist, rather than relying on traditional animal testing. The bill applies to facilities testing chemicals, drugs, or products, mandating that animal testing only occur when no alternatives are available and adhering to humane minimization standards. This directly affects Maryland-based facilities conducting biomedical research or product safety testing involving live animals.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 30, 2026 Signed Apr 28, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - Research Facilities and Testing Facilities That Use Animals - Prohibitions and Adoption Requirements (Animal Research Modernization and Best Practices Act of 2026) → Third - Research Facilities and Testing Facilities That Use Animals - Prohibitions and Adoption Requirements (Animal Research Modernization and Best Practices Act of 2026) · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill text was reorganized to align with a new legislative version, resulting in a complete reordering of the preamble sections and a significant restructuring of the definitions. The definitions for 'Medical Research' and 'Chemical Substance' were updated to clarify their scope, while the definition for 'Research Facility' was expanded to explicitly include facilities used for education and experimentation. These changes aim to modernize the statutory language and ensure clearer regulatory boundaries for animal research facilities.

Scope change

The scope of the bill's definitions was broadened to explicitly include educational and experimental uses under 'Research Facility,' and the definition of 'Medical Research' was refined to better distinguish between research on diseases and testing of ingredients formerly used as drugs.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Research Facility' was expanded to explicitly include facilities used for education and experimentation, broadening the entities subject to the bill's regulations.

The definition of 'Medical Research' was updated to clarify that it covers research on disease causes and treatments, while specifically excluding safety testing of ingredients previously used as drugs.

The definition of 'Chemical Substance' was restructured to more clearly list specific categories such as drugs, pesticides, and food additives with their corresponding federal legal references.

TECHNICAL

The preamble sections were reordered and renumbered, and the bill's title page was updated to reflect its current status as 'Adopted' with a favorable committee report.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2026 · House of Delegates Apr 1, 2026

How they voted

47–0

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 49

Mar 3, 2026

D Democratic36

34 Yea 2

94% Yea

R Republican13

13 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 28, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 230

executive

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Returned Passed

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Environment and Transportation

lower

Apr 1, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (123-13-6)

house of delegates

Mar 20, 2026

Committee

Referred Environment and Transportation

lower

Mar 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (47-0-2)

senate

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors