Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has signed Senate Bill 381, known as the Beagle Bill, into law, creating an adoption pathway for dogs and cats once their use in research or testing ends, Humane World for Animals announced on October 23, 2026. The governor signed the bill on October 22. The law also bans the sale of animal-tested cosmetics in the state and adds transparency requirements for animal research. It takes effect on April 20, 2027.
“Thank you to Governor Shapiro for signing the Beagle Bill, common-sense, bipartisan legislation that will provide additional protections for dogs, cats and other animals used in experiments,” said Kristen Tullo, Pennsylvania State Director for Humane World for Animals, formerly the Humane Society of the United States.
What the Law Requires
The measure, now Act 92 of 2026, sets conditions on how state funds can be used for experiments involving dogs and cats. Its main provisions for research facilities include:
- Adoption: Dogs and cats used in research must be offered for adoption once experiments are complete.
- Public records: Facilities must post a prominent link on their websites to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Care public search tool.
- State funding: Facilities can’t use state funds for dog or cat experiments unless they meet federal oversight requirements, including protocol review and approval by an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and supervision by an attending veterinarian.
- Cosmetics: The law bans the sale of cosmetics newly tested on animals. The ban doesn’t cover products developed through animal testing done before the law’s 2027 start date.
The law affects research institutions and cosmetics businesses, along with animal welfare groups.
Where Pennsylvania Fits
The bill passed unanimously in both the Pennsylvania House and Senate. It was sponsored by Senators Doug Mastriano and Carolyn Comitta.
“We are deeply grateful to our legislative champions, Senators Doug Mastriano and Carolyn Comitta for their leadership and unwavering commitment to animal welfare, and to the countless Pennsylvanians who helped make this victory possible by urging lawmakers to vote for this important bill,” Tullo said.
According to Humane World for Animals, Pennsylvania is now the 13th state to ban the sale of animal-tested cosmetics and the 18th to give research dogs and cats an opportunity to be adopted. The organization also cites a poll it commissioned that found 80% of Pennsylvania voters surveyed supported the bill.
The legislation traces back to a 2022 case in which dozens of beagles were rescued from a Virginia lab whose operator faced charges for violating federal animal welfare laws.
About Humane World for Animals
Humane World for Animals is a nonprofit animal protection organization founded in 1954. Formerly known as the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International, the two organizations began operating under the shared Humane World for Animals name in 2025. The organization works on policy advocacy, animal rescue, and animal care, including efforts related to animal testing and research. It is led by President and CEO Kitty Block.
