Providing for the ethical use of research animals

BACKGROUND. This bill amends provisions in Code chapter 162 that regulate commercial establishments possessing or controlling animals, including dogs or cats. A commercial establishment includes a research facility associated with an educational or scientific entity, including a state board of regents institution, concerned with the prevention, control, or cure of diseases or abnormal conditions of human beings or animals.4A).10). BILL’S PROVISIONS —— GENERAL. The bill creates new Code chapter 162A regulating the use of a research animal used by a qualified research facility performing an animal research project (project) using state moneys. Such research does not include providing an animal with recognized veterinary treatment or normal animal husbandry practices. The bill regulates animal research performed by a qualified research facility which is limited to a public or private college or university performing animal research using state moneys. BILL’S PROVISIONS —— RESTRICTIONS. The bill provides that a qualified research facility is prohibited from using state moneys to conduct research that causes an animal pain or distress, unless it is classified as a medically necessary procedure accompanied by an appropriate anesthetic, analgesic, or tranquilizing drug. The bill prohibits the practice of devocalization. BILL’S PROVISIONS —— USE OF STATE MONEYS UNDER CONTRACT. _____ bill applies to a state agency which enters into a contract with a private research facility to perform an animal research project. The contract must state the amount and percentage of the total cost of performing the project financed by state moneys. The bill requires that the contract specify the amount and percentage of the total cost of performing the project financed by state moneys. The bill also provides that if the private research facility expends more state moneys than necessary to complete a project, the facility is prohibited from entering into a similar contract with the state for twelve months. BILL’S PROVISIONS —— REPORTING. The bill provides that not later than March 1, a qualified research facility must prepare and publish an animal research report (report). The report must include information regarding state moneys used to support projects, a description of the projects and the number and species of animal used, the amount of state moneys expended, the extent to which the qualified research facility has complied with applicable federal standards of care, the disposition of the animals after they are no longer of research value, and efforts to reduce the number of animals used. The bill provides that not later than March 1, the state board of regents must prepare and submit a state animal research report to the governor and general assembly. The report shall be prepared as a compilation using information submitted to the board by qualified research facilities. BILL’S PROVISIONS —— CODE EDITOR DIRECTIVE. The bill provides for the transfer of the provision allowing for the adoption of research animals from Code chapter 162 to new Code chapter 162A.