Bill Summary
The "HELP PETS Act" is a legislative proposal aimed at prohibiting federal funding for institutions of higher education that engage in painful biomedical research involving dogs and cats. The act is intended to protect these animals from suffering in research settings.
Key provisions of the bill include:
1. **Federal Funding Restriction**: Starting 180 days after the enactment, institutions that conduct or fund painful research on dogs or cats will be ineligible for federal funds.
2. **Exceptions**: The prohibition does not apply to clinical veterinary research aimed at benefiting the animals, or to studies involving service animals and military animals.
3. **Definitions**: The bill clarifies terms such as "clinical veterinary research," "painful research," and the definitions of "service animal" and "military animal."
Overall, the HELP PETS Act seeks to ensure that federal money is not used for research deemed inhumane, while allowing for necessary veterinary studies and programs that benefit service animals.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "HELP PETS Act" could affect people:
1. **Impact on Research Funding**: Universities and research institutions that conduct painful biomedical research on dogs and cats would no longer have access to federal funds. This could lead to budget cuts, affecting faculty positions and research programs. As a result, researchers may have to shift their focus to alternative methods of study or less controversial animal models, potentially slowing down certain areas of scientific advancement that rely on animal research.
2. **Ethical Shift in Biomedical Research**: The Act could encourage a broader ethical debate around the use of animals in research. Researchers and institutions may need to reassess their practices and find less painful or alternative methods for studying diseases. This could lead to increased funding and focus on innovative research methodologies, such as in vitro studies or computer modeling, which could benefit future scientific inquiry and animal welfare.
3. **Effects on Veterinary and Animal Welfare Education**: While the Act allows for exceptions for clinical veterinary research, institutions that focus on veterinary medicine may face challenges in obtaining funding for related training programs or studies that involve painful procedures. This might limit the educational opportunities for veterinary students and professionals, as they may not gain experience in certain procedures necessary for their training, potentially impacting the quality of veterinary care in the future.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 233 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 233
To prohibit the availability of Federal funds to institutions of higher
education that conduct painful biomedical research on dogs and cats.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 7, 2025
Ms. Malliotakis introduced the following bill; which was referred to
the Committee on Education and Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To prohibit the availability of Federal funds to institutions of higher
education that conduct painful biomedical research on dogs and cats.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Higher Education Loses Payments for
Painful Experiments, Tests and Studies Act'' or the ``HELP PETS Act''.
SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL FUNDS TO INSTITUTIONS OF
HIGHER EDUCATION THAT CONDUCT PAINFUL RESEARCH USING DOGS
AND CATS.
(a) In General.--Beginning on the date that is 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, no Federal funds may be made
available to any institution of higher education that conducts or
funds, in whole or in part, painful research on dogs or cats.
(b) Exceptions.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to--
(1) clinical veterinary research; or
(2) any physical exam, training program, or study relating
to service animals or military animals.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Clinical veterinary research.--The term ``clinical
veterinary research'' means research on a dog or cat with a
naturally occurring disease or injury that is conducted--
(A) for the benefit of the dog or cat; and
(B) with the intention of studying the effect of a
procedure, device, or treatment protocol.
(2) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1002).
(3) Military animal.--The term ``military animal'' has the
meaning given the term in section 2583(i)(1) of title 10,
United States Code.
(4) Painful research.--The term ``painful research''
includes any research, biomedical training, experimentation, or
biological testing classified in pain category D or E by the
Department of Agriculture.
(5) Service animal.--The term ``service animal'' has the
meaning given the term in section 37.3 of title 49, Code of
Federal Regulations.
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