Bills · HR 297
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 297Research ethicsEducation programs funding
HELP PETS Act
INTRO JAN 9· LAST ACTION JAN 9
READING
2MIN
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- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it addresses the ethical concerns many people have about animal testing, particularly on pets like dogs and cats, in academic research. If it becomes law, it could lead to a significant shift in how some university-level biomedical research is conducted, potentially reducing the number of animals subjected to painful procedures and encouraging the development of alternative research methods. For universities, it could mean a loss of crucial federal funding if they don't change their research practices, which could impact their scientific output and financial stability.
If the bill does not become law, the current practices of federal funding for university research involving painful experiments on dogs and cats would continue. This bill highlights an ongoing debate between the perceived scientific necessity of animal research and the moral obligation to prevent animal suffering, pushing for a re-evaluation of research ethics in higher education.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Prohibits federal funds to institutions of higher education that conduct painful research on dogs or cats.
This is the central action of the bill, aiming to financially penalize universities for certain types of animal research.
PROVISION 02
Defines "painful research" to include categories D or E by the Department of Agriculture, referring to significant or unalleviated pain.
This definition is crucial for determining which research activities would trigger the funding prohibition, providing a standard measure of pain.
PROVISION 03
Includes exceptions for clinical veterinary research benefiting the animal and studies related to service or military animals.
These exceptions allow for beneficial research on sick animals and essential work with working animals to continue without federal funding loss.
PROVISION 04
The prohibition takes effect 180 days after the bill is enacted into law.
This timeline gives institutions a grace period to adjust their research practices or funding sources before the rule takes effect.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
R· New York
YRS IN OFFICE
5
BILLS LED
55
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 9
Introduced in House
JAN 9
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 297
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 9, 2025
Last actionJan 9, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 9, 2025
House BillHR 297Research ethicsEducation programs funding
HELP PETS Act
INTRODUCED JAN 9, 2025· LAST ACTION JAN 9, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
2 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
