S 4172 — AFTER Act of 2026

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html March 24, 2026

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends the Animal Welfare Act to establish new requirements for the retirement of certain animals used in federal research.

• 7 U.S.C. 2144

  Any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States having laboratory animal facilities shall comply with the standards and other requirements promulgated by the Secretary for a research facility under sections [1] 2143(a), (f), (g), and (h) of this title. Any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States exhibiting animals shall comply with the standards promulgated by the Secretary under sections [1] 2143(a), (f), (g), and (h) of this title. → SEC. 14. STANDARDS FOR FEDERAL FACILITIES. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Animal rescue organization.--The term `animal rescue organization' means a nonprofit organization the purpose of which is to rescue covered animals and find permanent adoptive homes for those animals. (2) Animal sanctuary.--The term `animal sanctuary' means a nonprofit organization that-- (A) is registered with the Secretary; (B) operates a place of refuge in which-- (i) a covered animal is provided care for the lifetime of the animal; and (ii) an unescorted public visitation of that animal is not permitted; (C) does not engage in commercial trade of covered animals; (D) does not breed covered animals; (E) does not permit direct contact between the public and covered animals; (F) does not allow the use of a covered animal for performance or exhibition purposes; and (G) does not conduct or permit research on a covered animal other than noninvasive behavioral research. (3) Animal shelter.--The term `animal shelter' means a facility that-- (A) accepts or seizes covered animals-- (i) to care for the animals; (ii) to place those animals in a permanent adoptive home; or (iii) for purposes of law enforcement; (B) does not-- (i) engage in commercial trade of covered animals; (ii) breed covered animals; (iii) allow the use of a covered animal for performance or exhibition purposes; or (iv) conduct or permit research on a covered animal other than noninvasive behavioral research. (4) Covered animal.-- (A) In general.--The term `covered animal' means an animal that is unwanted, abandoned, or otherwise in need of placement in a home. (B) Exclusions.--The term `covered animal' does not include-- (i) a rat of the genus Rattus; or (ii) a mouse of the genus Mus. (5) Nonprofit organization.--The term `nonprofit organization' means an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of that Code. (6) Suitable for retirement.--The term `suitable for retirement' means, with respect to an animal, that the animal has been evaluated by a licensed veterinarian and is determined to be mentally and physically healthy. (b) Laboratory Animal Facilities and Exhibitors.--Any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States that operates laboratory animal facilities or exhibits animals shall comply with the standards and other requirements promulgated by the Secretary under subsections (a), (g), (h), and (i) of section 13. (c) Retirement.--(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the AFTER Act of 2026, any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States operating a Federal research facility shall, after public notice and comment, promulgate regulations that, with respect to any animal of the facility that is no longer needed for research and determined to be suitable for retirement--

  This change replaces the existing text with new definitions and requirements focused on the retirement of animals used in federal research.

• 7 U.S.C. 2143

  (1) by redesignating subsections (g) and (h) as subsections (h) and (i), respectively; and (2) by redesignating the second subsection (f) (relating to the certification requirement for the delivery of any animal) as subsection (g).

  This change updates the numbering of subsections within the section.

Action History

1. March 24, 2026

   Introduced in Senate

2. March 24, 2026

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1581-1582)

Sponsors

• Gary C. Peters · Cosponsor
• Cory A. Booker · Cosponsor
• Susan M. Collins · Primary

Subjects