Credit: Humane World for Animals (Formerly Humane Society)

April 29, 2026 - ANNAPOLIS, Md. — On Tuesday, Gov. Wes Moore signed S.B. 423, the Animal Research Modernization and Best Practices Act. This legislation, which passed with extensive bipartisan support, mandates the use of approved non-animal methods instead of animals when testing chemicals, pesticides, household cleaners and food additives. It also outlaws cruel practices like devocalization of dogs and cats used in experiments and requires annual reporting of how many animals are adopted after their time in research has ended. 

Maryland made history in 2023 as the first state to fund non-animal testing technology development.  S.B. 423 closes the loop—requiring industry to use those methods once federally approved.  

“Passage of S.B. 423 demonstrates Maryland’s ongoing commitment to superior science and animal protection,” said Stacey Volodin, Humane World for Animals Maryland state director. “This law will ensure that animals are not being used in unnecessary experiments when non-animal methods could be used instead, which benefits animals and consumers. We thank Senator Kramer and Delegate Cullison for their leadership on this measure and Governor Moore for signing it into law.”   

Maryland now joins four other states—California, New Jersey, New York and Virginia—in requiring the use of non-animal alternatives. S.B. 423 also reinforces compliance with a 2018 state law requiring that Maryland animal research facilities provide opportunities for dogs and cats to be adopted into homes after experiments end, by mandating annual reports on the number of animals adopted.  

Source: Humane World for Animals