Bill Text: HI SB593 | 2017 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Animals.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 14-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2017-03-15 - The committee(s) on AGR recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. [SB593 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2017-SB593-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
593 |
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TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO ANIMALS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that every year over one hundred million animals are used as subjects of scientific and medical research, as well as for educational purposes. As recently as 2015, over 19,000 cats and 61,000 dogs were used in research. The legislature further finds that many of the animals used for research and education are euthanized after they are used, despite being healthy and suitable for adoption.
The purpose of this Act is to:
(1) Require research facilities to make available for adoption healthy cats and dogs that the research facility determines are suitable for adoption and are no longer required for research; and
(2) Allow research facilities to contract with local animal shelters and rescue groups to facilitate the adoptions.
SECTION 2. Chapter 143, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§143- Animal research. (a) A research facility, or employee or student thereof, that confines cats or dogs for science, education, or research purposes and plans to euthanize a cat or dog for purposes other than science, education, or research shall first offer the cat or dog to an animal rescue organization for adoption if the research facility determines that the animal is suitable for adoption and the research facility's existing procedures for adopting the animal do not result in an adoption. A research facility that is required to offer cats or dogs to an animal rescue organization under this section may enter into an agreement with an animal rescue organization for the implementation of this section.
(b) A research facility that provides a cat or dog to an animal rescue organization under this section is immune from any civil liability that otherwise might result from its actions; provided that the research facility is acting in good faith.
(c) For the purposes of this section:
"Animal rescue organization" means any nonprofit organization established for the purposes of rescuing animals in need and finding permanent, adoptive homes for the animals.
"Research facility" means a facility of an institute of higher education that receives public money, including tax exempt status; a facility that provides research in collaboration with an institution of higher education; or a facility that conducts experiments on cats or dogs for science, testing, education, or research purposes."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Report Title:
Research Animals; Adoption
Description:
Requires research facilities to make available for adoption healthy cats and dogs that the research facility determines are suitable for adoption and are no longer needed for research. Authorizes research facilities to contract with local animal rescue organizations to facilitate the adoption of the cats and dogs. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
