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HB 4254

Animals: care and treatment; conducting of research or training activities on dogs in a manner that causes pain or distress; prohibit. Amends secs. 2674, 2675 & 2678 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.2674 et seq.); adds secs. 2670 & 2675a & repeals secs. 2672 & 2673 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.2672 & 333.2673).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Aragona and 26 co-sponsors

Michigan bill prohibits conducting research or training on dogs that causes pain or distress, amending animal care standards in the Public Health Code.

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Bill Summary · HB 4254

Legislative bill overview

HB 4254 amends Michigan's animal research laws to prohibit conducting research or training activities on dogs that cause pain or distress. The bill modifies the Public Health Code by updating and adding several sections related to animal care standards while repealing older provisions.

Why is this important

This legislation directly affects how medical research, veterinary training, and other institutional activities involving dogs must be conducted in Michigan. It could influence research practices at universities, veterinary schools, and medical facilities, potentially requiring changes to existing protocols or limiting certain types of studies.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition ambiguity: "Pain or distress" may be difficult to define objectively, creating enforcement challenges and potentially affecting legitimate research that inadvertently causes brief discomfort
  • Research impact: Restrictions could limit certain types of medical research (cardiovascular, surgical, neurological studies) that might benefit human health but require animal models
  • Implementation burden: Institutions may face significant compliance costs for protocol review, monitoring, and documentation to ensure adherence to the new standards
  • Alternative methods: The bill doesn't explicitly require institutions to use alternative testing methods, raising questions about whether non-animal alternatives must be pursued first

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

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