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United States · Bill · S

S. 1233 (99th)

Improved Standards for Laboratory Animals Act

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

4 June 1985

Last action

3 July 1985 · Committee

Status

Referred to Subcommittee on Agricultural Research.

Sponsors

Sen. Dole, Robert J. [R-KS], Sen. Heinz, John [R-PA], Sen. Roth Jr., William V. [R-DE], Sen. Stevens, Ted [R-AK], Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT], Rep. Cohen, William S. [R-ME-2], Sen. Stafford, Robert T. [R-VT], Sen. Matsunaga, Spark M. [D-HI], Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM], Sen. Zorinsky, Edward [D-NE], Sen. Gorton, Slade [R-WA], Sen. D'Amato, Alfonse [R-NY], Sen. Burdick, Quentin N. [D-ND], Rep. Kasten, Robert W., Jr. [R-WI-9], Sen. Proxmire, William [D-WI], Rep. Simon, Paul [D-IL-24], Sen. Ford, Wendell H. [D-KY], Sen. Durenberger, Dave [R-MN], Rep. Baucus, Max [D-MT-1], Sen. Domenici, Pete V. [R-NM], Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA], Sen. Chafee, John H. [R-RI], Sen. Pell, Claiborne [D-RI], Sen. Goldwater, Barry [R-AZ], Sen. Boschwitz, Rudy [R-MN], Sen. Moynihan, Daniel Patrick [D-NY], Sen. Murkowski, Frank H. [R-AK], Sen. Mitchell, George J. [D-ME], Sen. Wilson, Pete [R-CA], Sen. Stennis, John C. [D-MS], Sen. Humphrey, Gordon J. [R-NH], Sen. Hecht, Chic [R-NV], Sen. Bumpers, Dale [D-AR], Sen. Cranston, Alan [D-CA], Sen. Mattingly, Mack [R-GA], Sen. Metzenbaum, Howard M. [D-OH], Sen. Thurmond, Strom [R-SC]

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

29 August 2025

Summary

Improved Standards for Laboratory Animals Act - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to revise the humane standards for animals transported in commerce. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate standards to govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals by dealers, research facilities, and exhibitors. Requires each research facility to establish an institutional animal committee with sufficient expertise to assess the appropriateness of animal care and treatment in experimental research. Requires the committee at each facility to: (1) inspect at least semiannually all animal study areas and animal facilities at the research facility; (2) file an inspection certification report of each inspection at the research facility; (3) notify the administrative representative of the research facility of any deficiencies; and (4) notify the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the funding Federal agency if such deficiencies remain uncorrected. Requires each research facility to provide for annual training in the humane treatment of animals for scientists, animal technicians, and other personnel involved with animal care and treatment in such facility. Directs the Secretary to establish an information service at the National Agricultural Library to provide information on improved methods of animal experimentation, including: (1) employee training; (2) preventing unnecessary duplication of animal experimentation; (3) reducing or replacing animal use; and (4) minimizing pain and distress. Requires a funding Federal agency to suspend or revoke Federal Support for a project if it is determined that conditions of animal care, treatment, or practice in a particular project have not been in compliance with standards promulgated under this Act. Requires the Secretary to inspect each research facility at least once each year. Requires such follow-up inspections as may be necessary until all deficiencies which may be found are corrected. Imposes penalties for the release of any confidential information or trade secrets by any member of an Institutional Animal Committee. Increases penalties for violations of the Animal Welfare Act.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 4 June 1985

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 4 June 1985

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 3 July 1985

    Committee

    Committee on Agriculture requested executive comment from Agriculture Department.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

Documents

1 official file

Sponsors

Related records

No cross-record relationships stored yet.

Sources

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