What's happening
This bill prohibits vivisection at New York colleges and universities if a scientifically and educationally satisfactory alternative exists.
Why it matters
Shifts educational and research standards. by requiring colleges and universities to use alternative methods instead of vivisection whenever a widely accepted, satisfactory alternative exists, potentially accelerating the adoption of new teaching technologies (like simulations or models).
Raises the bar for animal welfare in higher education. , signaling a broader move away from invasive procedures on live animals where they are not strictly necessary, and aligning New York’s practices with growing ethical expectations in science and medicine.
Could impact curriculum design and funding. , as institutions may need to invest in alternative tools and training, and may need to justify continued use of vivisection if challenged, affecting how biology, medicine, and veterinary courses are taught.
Potentially influences nationwide academic norms. , as New York is a major educational hub and its policies could set precedents or encourage similar measures in other states, shaping the future of scientific education and research.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Animal Dissection in Schools
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
3 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
871
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. ROSENTHAL, WEPRIN -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COLTON, COOK, McDONOUGH -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to prohibiting vivisection at colleges and universities in the state where a scientifically and educationally satisfactory method or strategy exists
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 819 to read as follows:
§ 819. Vivisection prohibited. 1. For purposes of this section:
(a) "Vivisection" means experimentation through surgery on a living organism to view living internal structure.
(b) "Scientifically and educationally satisfactory method or strategy" means a teaching method or strategy that accomplishes the goal of the proposed education or training or teaching method or strategy that is used by a majority of other institutions of higher education to accomplish the same goal.
2. Vivisection is prohibited at all colleges, universities, professional, proprietary or graduate schools in the state where an alternative scientifically and educationally satisfactory method or strategy exists.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02961-01-5
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.