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SB 422

Research Facilities and Testing Facilities That Use Animals - Adoption and Reporting Requirements

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ben Kramer

Maryland bill mandates research facilities adopt surplus animals and report outcomes, shifting from euthanasia to placement standards for laboratory animals.

First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment
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Bill Summary · SB 422

Legislative bill overview

SB 422 establishes adoption and reporting requirements for research facilities and testing facilities that use animals in Maryland. The bill mandates that these facilities adopt animals that are no longer needed for research or testing, rather than allowing them to be euthanized, and requires facilities to submit regular reports on adoption outcomes. This represents a shift toward post-research animal welfare standards in the state.

Why is this important

Research and testing facilities across Maryland currently have discretion in determining the fates of animals after their use in studies ends. This bill would directly affect the lives of thousands of laboratory animals annually and could influence how facilities plan their research operations. The reporting requirements would create transparency around animal disposition practices, allowing the public and policymakers to track outcomes.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs and logistics: Facilities may argue that mandatory adoption creates substantial financial and operational burdens, potentially driving up research costs or causing some facilities to relocate to states with fewer restrictions
  • Scientific feasibility concerns: Some researchers may contend that certain animals (particularly those with specific genetic modifications or disease models) cannot be safely or ethically adopted to private homes, and that adoption requirements could compromise research continuity
  • Definition and enforcement gaps: The bill's effectiveness depends on clear definitions of "adoption," which facilities qualify for exemptions, and what enforcement mechanisms exist for non-compliance or false reporting

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

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