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H 989

An Act concerning the use of animals in product testing

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jim Arciero and 55 co-sponsors

Massachusetts would ban traditional animal tests when valid non-animal methods exist, require a regulatory framework to standardize alternatives, with medical research exempt.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 989

Summary: H 989 — An Act concerning the use of animals in product testing

Overview

H 989 proposes to reduce or phase out the use of traditional animal testing for products, formulations, chemicals, or ingredients tested in Massachusetts where a valid alternative test method exists. The bill creates a regulatory framework to standardize and implement alternative testing methods and clarifies exemptions, timelines, and duties for regulators and industry.

Purpose and intent

  • Promote the use of alternative test methods (e.g., in vitro tests, computational toxicology, high-throughput screening, systems biology) in place of traditional animal testing when a valid alternative exists.
  • Establish regulatory standards to ensure the safety and validity of alternative methods, aligned with recognized guidelines (OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals).
  • Limit animal testing in product testing within the Commonwealth, while preserving an exemption for medical research.

Key provisions

New definitions (Section 174J)

  • Alternative test method: methods that do not use animals and still provide valid information about biological effects, including in vitro, computational, high-throughput, and related approaches.
  • Commissioner: Massachusetts Department of Public Health commissioner.
  • Contract testing facility: entities that test chemicals, ingredients, product formulations, or products.
  • Manufacturer: entities that produce products, formulations, chemicals, or ingredients.
  • Medical research: investigations and studies aiming to discover or develop medical knowledge or biomedical products.
  • Traditional animal test method: tests that use animals to obtain information about biological effects.

Prohibition on animal testing (Section 174J(b))

  • When testing a product, formulation, chemical, or ingredient in Massachusetts, a manufacturer or contract testing facility cannot use a traditional animal test method if a valid alternative test method exists.
  • This prohibition does not apply to tests conducted for medical research.

Regulatory framework (Section 174J(c))

  • The Commissioner must promulgate regulations to implement and enforce the act.
  • Regulations must establish standards for alternative test methods to ensure safety and comparable validity to traditional animal tests.
  • The Commissioner must consider the OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals when setting standards.

Implementation timeline

  • Regulatory action: The Commissioner must promulgate regulations to implement the act no later than 180 days after passage.
  • Effective dates:
    • Section 1 (prohibition and framework) takes effect 6 months after passage.
    • Section 2 (regulatory requirements) takes effect upon passage.

Status and procedural history

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Referred to: Environment and Natural Resources.
  • Related action: Similar matter previously filed as House 850 (2023-2024).
  • Hearing: Scheduled for October 21, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in Committee Room A-1.

Who is affected

  • Manufacturers: new obligation to avoid traditional animal tests if alternatives exist; may need to adopt alternative methods and provide documentation.
  • Contract testing facilities: same obligation as manufacturers; regulatory compliance and reporting requirements.
  • Massachusetts Department of Public Health: responsible for promulgating and enforcing regulations and overseeing implementation.
  • Medical researchers: exempt from the prohibition; can continue using traditional animal testing where applicable for medical research.

Potential impacts

  • Reduction in animal use in product testing within Massachusetts where alternatives exist.
  • Increased regulatory emphasis on validating and standardizing alternative methods.
  • Possible changes in testing timelines and costs as firms transition to validated non-animal methods.
  • Alignment with international standards (OECD guidelines) and broader animal-reduction initiatives.

Next steps for readers

  • Monitor the October 21, 2025 hearing for committee discussion and potential amendments.
  • If enacted, anticipate regulatory rulemaking within 180 days of passage and prepare for compliance with new standards for alternative testing methods.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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