Bill Summary
The "HELP PETS Act" is a legislative proposal aimed at prohibiting federal funding to institutions of higher education that engage in painful biomedical research involving dogs and cats. The Act specifies that, starting 180 days after its enactment, no federal funds can be allocated to such institutions if they conduct or partially fund research classified as painful under Department of Agriculture standards. However, exceptions are made for clinical veterinary research that benefits the animals themselves and for studies related to service or military animals. The bill is designed to promote ethical practices in animal research by limiting federal financial support for harmful experiments on pets.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "HELP PETS Act" could affect people:
1. **Impact on Research Institutions and Funding**: Universities and colleges that rely on federal funding for their biomedical research programs may face significant financial consequences if they engage in painful research on dogs and cats. This could lead to a reduction in research activities, job losses for researchers and support staff, and a potential shift in research focus away from certain biomedical fields that involve animal testing. Consequently, this could delay advancements in medical research that rely on these studies.
2. **Changes in Veterinary Research Practices**: The act allows exceptions for clinical veterinary research that benefits dogs and cats, which may lead to an increased emphasis on research methods that prioritize animal welfare. This could foster a culture of innovation in veterinary medicine, encouraging researchers to develop alternative methods and treatments that are less invasive and painful. As a result, pet owners and animals may benefit from enhanced veterinary care and treatment options.
3. **Public Awareness and Advocacy**: The enactment of the HELP PETS Act may heighten public awareness regarding animal welfare and the ethics of using animals in research. Advocacy groups and animal rights organizations could leverage this legislation to promote their causes, potentially increasing public support for more humane research practices. This shift in societal attitudes could influence future legislation and funding priorities in both the public and private sectors, shaping how biomedical research is conducted in the long term.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 297 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 297
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 9, 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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