Violet’s Law
Sponsored By: Representative Mace
Introduced
Summary
Requires federal research facilities to create and follow standards that promote the adoption or non‑laboratory placement of certain animals used in research. This would amend the Animal Welfare Act and set clear definitions and deadlines for releasing eligible animals.
Show full summary
- Federal research facilities would have to follow standards issued under the Animal Welfare Act and, within one year, adopt rules that facilitate adoption or non‑laboratory placement of eligible animals no longer needed for research.
- Eligible animals are defined as dogs, cats, nonhuman primates, guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits and are prioritized for adoption or placement when suitable.
- Animal rescue organizations and animal sanctuaries must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits; sanctuaries must register with the Secretary and meet rules such as lifetime care, no breeding, no commercial trade, no unescorted public visits, no direct public contact, and no use for performance or distressing research.
- An animal is “suitable for release” only after a licensed veterinarian inspects it and issues a certificate within 10 days stating it appears free of infectious disease or physical problems that would endanger other animals or public health.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Adoption rules for federal lab animals
This bill would set adoption rules for animals used in federal research. Federal labs would have to follow standards set by the Secretary under the Animal Welfare Act. Within one year of enactment, each federal research facility would need rules that help place animals no longer needed for research. An animal could be placed only if a licensed vet examines it no more than 10 days before release and certifies it is free of infectious disease or risky physical problems. Animals found suitable could go to a rescue group, sanctuary, shelter, or an individual.
Who can take in released lab animals
If enacted, only certain groups could receive released lab animals. Eligible animals would be dogs, cats, nonhuman primates, guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits. A rescue group would need to be a 501(c)(3) that finds permanent homes for unwanted or abandoned animals. A sanctuary would need to be a registered 501(c)(3) that gives lifetime care, does not breed or sell animals, does not allow direct public contact or shows, and does not do painful research. An animal shelter would be a place that takes in or seizes animals to care for them, place them in permanent homes, or support law enforcement.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Mace
SC • R
Cosponsors
Huffman
CA • D
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Gimenez
FL • R
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Scanlon
PA • D
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Malliotakis
NY • R
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Meng
NY • D
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Webster (FL)
FL • R
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Tran
CA • D
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Harshbarger
TN • R
Sponsored 5/7/2025
DelBene
WA • D
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Lynch
MA • D
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Nehls
TX • R
Sponsored 5/7/2025
McBath
GA • D
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Connolly
VA • D
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Chu
CA • D
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Davis (NC)
NC • D
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Omar
MN • D
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Titus
NV • D
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Carson
IN • D
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Sherman
CA • D
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Tokuda
HI • D
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Fitzpatrick
PA • R
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Gottheimer
NJ • D
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Stauber
MN • R
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Barragan
CA • D
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Kim
CA • R
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Scholten
MI • D
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Johnson (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Perry
PA • R
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Lawler
NY • R
Sponsored 5/8/2025
Soto
FL • D
Sponsored 5/8/2025
Garcia (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 5/9/2025
Stevens
MI • D
Sponsored 5/13/2025
Veasey
TX • D
Sponsored 5/13/2025
Stansbury
NM • D
Sponsored 5/14/2025
Crow
CO • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Moulton
MA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
James
MI • R
Sponsored 5/19/2025
Steube
FL • R
Sponsored 6/2/2025
Scott, David
GA • D
Sponsored 6/2/2025
Davids (KS)
KS • D
Sponsored 6/3/2025
Trahan
MA • D
Sponsored 6/20/2025
Harder (CA)
CA • D
Sponsored 6/25/2025
Carter (LA)
LA • D
Sponsored 7/2/2025
Tlaib
MI • D
Sponsored 8/1/2025
Lee (NV)
NV • D
Sponsored 9/2/2025
Vindman
VA • D
Sponsored 9/3/2025
Buchanan
FL • R
Sponsored 9/30/2025
Pappas
NH • D
Sponsored 11/7/2025
Mackenzie
PA • R
Sponsored 12/9/2025
Neguse
CO • D
Sponsored 12/11/2025
Min
CA • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Gillen
NY • D
Sponsored 1/6/2026
Dean (PA)
PA • D
Sponsored 2/13/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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