HARRISBURG, Pa.—The Beagle Bill (SB 381), bipartisan legislation with overwhelming support from Pennsylvania voters and unanimous support from the full Senate and the House Judiciary Committee, is expected to receive final votes in the Pennsylvania House and Senate next week. These votes will determine if Pennsylvania becomes the next state to give dogs and cats used in research or testing the opportunity to be adopted after the experiments on them have ended. The bill also prevents the sale of animal-tested cosmetics in Pennsylvania.
“The Beagle Bill represents a meaningful step forward for dogs, cats and other animals used in experiments and helps to foster a more humane Commonwealth, said Kristen Tullo, Pennsylvania state director for Humane World for Animals. “We call on Pennsylvania animal lovers to join us in urging lawmakers to pass this bill without delay.”
Humane World for Animals was previously called the Humane Society of the United States.
The bill was carefully negotiated with the life sciences community, including pharmaceutical companies and universities, and represents common sense policies that have already been adopted in many other states, including neighboring states New Jersey, Maryland and New York.
The Senate voted unanimously to pass the Beagle bill in September 2025, and it unanimously passed the House Judiciary committee on Sept. 24, 2026. It now must receive a vote by the full House of Representatives and a concurrence vote in the Senate before being sent to Gov. Josh Shapiro for his signature.
The House Judiciary Committee-approved bill would:
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Give dogs and cats used in experiments a chance to be adopted into loving homes once studies end, a policy supported by 95% of Pennsylvania voters.
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Prohibit the sale of cosmetics newly tested on animals, a measure supported by 82% of Pennsylvania voters.
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Strengthen oversight and accountability requirements for animal research facilities.
Pennsylvania residents can take action here: humaneworld.org/PAAnimaltesting
