Bill Text: VA SB28 | 2018 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Medical research on dogs and cats; prohibition on use of state funds, civil penalty.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)
Status: (Passed) 2018-04-04 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0771) [SB28 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2018-SB28-Prefiled.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Title 32.1 a chapter numbered 5.4, consisting of sections numbered 32.1-162.32 and 32.1-162.33, as follows:
§32.1-162.32. Definitions.
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires another meaning:
"Animal subject" means a dog or cat.
"Medically unnecessary" means not carried out solely for the better health, welfare, or safety of the animal subject.
"Significant pain or distress" means any pain or distress caused by any procedure or condition classified under pain and distress category E by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
§32.1-162.33. Funding of medical or scientific research causing significant pain or distress to an animal subject prohibited; civil penalty.
A. No state funds shall be appropriated to any organization, whether public or private, to carry out any medically unnecessary scientific or medical research on an animal subject that causes significant pain or distress to the animal subject.
B. No state funds shall be expended for any organization, whether public or private, to carry out any medically unnecessary scientific or medical research on an animal subject that causes significant pain or distress to the animal subject.
In addition to any other penalty provided by law, any person violating the provisions of this subsection shall be liable for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $50,000 for each incident.
