Roundup of Ongoing Policy and Legislative News
So far in 2025, NAVS is tracking and actively supporting 38 pieces of state legislation and eight federal bills that impact the lives of animals in laboratories. You can help support our efforts by visiting our Advocacy Center or sharing this with someone you know.
Legislative Spotlight: Advancing Protections for Nonhuman Primates
We focus much of our work on nonhuman primates (NHPs) because they are highly intelligent, social animals who suffer immensely in laboratory settings. Despite their cognitive and emotional complexity, they are routinely subjected to invasive experiments, maternal separation, and lifelong confinement, making their protection a critical priority in the fight to end animal testing.
Here is a glimpse of active state legislation that will protect NHPs used in research:
🐵 Virginia – SB 907:
This bill will require animal testing facilities to consider placing NHPs in their care into certified sanctuaries once experiments end. Right now, most primates used in research are euthanized rather than given the chance to live out their lives in a more natural setting. SB 907 prioritizes sanctuary placement when appropriate, ensuring that these intelligent, social animals have a chance at a better future.
Status: Thanks to your advocacy, the governor signed this bill into law earlier this week! The law will go into effect on July 1st of this year.
🐵 Massachusetts – S 1167 / H 1948:
These companion bills would prohibit the traumatic separation of infant NHPs from their mothers for testing and experimentation. Decades of research confirm that maternal separation causes lasting psychological and physiological harm. This legislation acknowledges the ethical imperative to prevent such cruelty and protect infant primates from unnecessary suffering.
Status: Both bills are awaiting a committee hearing in their respective chambers.
ACT NOW: Massachusetts residents, support these important bills!
Legislative Spotlight: Ending some of the most painful animal experiments
While NAVS’ mission and ultimate goal are to end the use of all animals in testing and research, we recognize that meaningful progress comes in steps. An urgent priority is eliminating experiments that cause pain or distress to the animals involved. These experiments represent some of the most egregious forms of animal use in laboratories and must be stopped immediately.
This pending state legislation addresses ending painful animal experiments:
🐶 Michigan – SB 127:
This bill would prohibit the use of dogs in painful or distressing experiments, including those that involve surgical procedures, implanted medical devices, or the administration of experimental drugs.
Status: Awaiting a hearing in committee.
ACT NOW: Michigan residents, urge committee members to support this legislation!
🐱🐶 Oregon – HB 3878:
Prohibits research facilities from using public funding for experiments on dogs or cats that fall under certain pain and distress categories defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The bill exempts procedures performed for veterinary education or clinical veterinary research purposes.
Status: Awaiting a hearing in committee.
ACT NOW: Residents of Oregon can contact committee members and urge support for this HB 3878!
Legislative progress depends on passionate individuals’ speaking up, contacting their representatives, and demanding better protections for animals. Your voice is essential in pushing these bills forward and ensuring that animals are no longer subjected to unnecessary suffering. Together, we can build a future where science advances without cruelty to animals. Stay engaged, take action, and help us make a difference!