AN ACT CONCERNING THE PROTECTION OF ANIMALS USED IN CERTAIN RESEARCH.

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Study on Standards for Animals Used in Medical Research

This law requires the Commissioner of Agriculture to study whether new rules are needed for breeders who sell companion animals used in medical research.

What This Bill Does

• Requires an examination of breeding and care standards for companion animals used in state medical research.
• Asks officials to check if they should stop hospitals, schools, and licensed labs from buying animals from breeders who broke federal pet dealer rules.
• Mandates a report with any suggestions for new laws be sent to the environment committee by January 15, 2027.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Commissioner of Agriculture
• Breeders of companion animals used in medical research
• Hospitals and educational institutions that use these animals for research

Terms To Know

Companion animals

Animals kept as pets, such as dogs or cats.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The federal agency that sets rules for pet dealers and animal care.

Limits and Unknowns

• This bill only orders a study; it does not create new laws or penalties yet.
• The final report may recommend no changes if the examination finds current standards are enough.
• The law takes effect on October 1, 2026.

Official Summary Text

To require an examination of the need to establish breeding and other care standards for animals used in medical research in the state.

Current Bill Text

LCO No. 1417 1 of 2

General Assembly Raised Bill No. 314
February Session, 2026 LCO No. 1417

Referred to Committee on ENVIRONMENT

Introduced by:
(ENV)

AN ACT CONCERNING THE PROTECTION OF ANIMALS USED IN
CERTAIN RESEARCH.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:

Section 1. (Effective October 1, 2026) The Commissioner of Agriculture 1
shall examine the need to establish standards for breeders of companion 2
animals used in medical research in the state. Such examination shall 3
include, but not be limited to, an assessment of the need to prohibit 4
hospitals, educational institutions and laboratories licensed for such 5
purpose from purchasing or using companion animals from any breeder 6
that has committed a direct or indirect violation of pet dealer -related 7
regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture. The 8
commissioner shall submit a report, including any legislative 9
recommendations, on such examination to the joint standing committee 10
of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the 11
environment not later than January 15, 2027, and in accordance with the 12
provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. 13

Raised Bill No. 314

LCO No. 1417 2 of 2

This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:

Section 1 October 1, 2026 New section

Statement of Purpose:
To require an examination of the need to establish breeding and other
care standards for animals used in medical research in the state.

[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except
that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not
underlined.]