SB 381 Pennsylvania Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in public safety, prohibiting certain animal experimentation, sale and testing; and imposing penalties.

SB 381 amends Pennsylvania law to prohibit certain types of animal experimentation, testing, and sale of products developed through such testing. Specifically, it bans animal testing for cosmetics, certain medical products, and household items, and prohibits the sale of these products within Pennsylvania. The bill imposes penalties for violations, including fines for businesses that conduct or sell prohibited products. This directly affects businesses that conduct or market cosmetics, personal care products, or specific medical items tested on animals. The law aims to restrict animal testing in these product categories without banning all scientific research.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Sep 2025

Senate Passage

Sep 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 6, 2025 Last action Sep 11, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN1101 → Printer's No. PN1157 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill update removes the requirement for Title 18 amendments and deletes the specific prohibition on funding for devocalization (cutting vocal cords). It significantly expands the reporting requirements for animal research, adds whistleblower protections, and clarifies that Commonwealth-funded facilities must comply with cruelty laws. The changes streamline the bill's focus to Title 35 while increasing transparency and accountability for animal research funded by the state.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by removing the amendment to Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses), which previously addressed riot and disorderly conduct. The primary focus is now exclusively on Title 35 (Health and Safety) regarding animal experimentation and sale.

SCOPE

Deleted the amendment to Title 18 regarding riot and disorderly conduct, narrowing the bill's legal scope to only Title 35.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the specific section prohibiting Commonwealth funds from being used for devocalization (surgical alteration of vocal cords).

Added a requirement that animal testing facilities receiving state funds must comply with Pennsylvania's cruelty to animals laws.

Expanded and clarified reporting requirements, requiring detailed disclosures of research projects, animal species used, and adoption statistics on state websites.

ENFORCEMENT

Added whistleblower protection provisions to encourage reporting of violations without fear of retaliation.

DEFINITION

Clarified that 'animal testing facility' does not include facilities providing diagnostic, treatment, or veterinary care.

TIMELINE

Adjusted the deadline for institutions to post annual animal research reports from April 1, 2026, to ensure compliance with the new expanded reporting standards.

Printer's No. PN0328 → Printer's No. PN1101 · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill was significantly amended to strengthen animal welfare protections and increase transparency in Commonwealth-funded research. The changes add stricter definitions for facilities, require a 30-day adoption period for animals before euthanasia (up from 21 days), and mandate that the attending veterinarian have sole authority to assess an animal's suitability for adoption. Additionally, the reporting requirements were expanded to include detailed project descriptions and specific committee notifications, while whistleblower protections were clarified.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly include 'State-owned universities, community colleges, or state-related institutions' under the definition of higher education and to require compliance with cruelty provisions for all Commonwealth-funded animal testing facilities.

REQUIREMENT

Extended the mandatory adoption offer period for animals from 21 days to 30 days before euthanasia.

Transferred the sole authority to assess an animal's suitability for adoption from the facility to the attending veterinarian or designee.

Added a new requirement for animal testing facilities to comply with the state's cruelty to animals provisions (18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 55 Subch. B).

Expanded the annual reporting requirements to include specific research purposes, estimated animal numbers, and direct reporting to multiple legislative committee chairs.

DEFINITION

Added a specific definition for 'Institution of Higher Education' to clarify which entities are covered under the new regulations.

Modified the definition of 'animal testing facility' to include the word 'houses' alongside 'confines' to broaden the scope of covered facilities.

TIMELINE

Changed the deadline for the State Treasurer's annual report from March 1 to September 1 for submission and December 1 for public posting.

ENFORCEMENT

Added explicit authority for the Treasury Department to suspend future Commonwealth funding for non-compliant research projects.

Floor votes · Senate Sep 10, 2025

How they voted

50–0

Passed

Total votes 50

Sep 10, 2025

D Democratic23

23 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican27

27 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Sep 11, 2025

Committee

Referred to Judiciary

lower

Sep 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third consideration and final passage

upper

Sep 9, 2025

Upper · Passed

Amended on third consideration

upper

Sep 8, 2025

Upper · Passed

Re-reported as committed

upper

Aug 12, 2025

Committee

Re-referred to Appropriations

upper

Aug 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

Amended on third consideration

upper

Jun 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported as committed

upper

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to Judiciary

upper

1 primary · 15 co-sponsors