Animal test methods: alternatives.

Existing law prohibits manufacturers and contract testing facilities from using traditional animal test methods within the state for which an appropriate alternative test method has been scientifically validated and recommended by the Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM) and adopted, as specified. Existing law excepts certain animal tests from these provisions, including animal tests performed for the purpose of medical research. Existing law provides that the exclusive remedy for a violation of these provisions is a civil action for injunctive relief brought by, among others, the Attorney General and makes a violation of these provisions punishable by a specified civil penalty. Existing law defines various terms for purposes of these provisions. This bill would instead prohibit manufacturers and contract testing facilities from using traditional animal test methods, as defined, within this state for which an appropriate alternative test method or strategy exists, or a waiver has been granted by the agency responsible for regulating the specific product or activity for which the test is being conducted. If an appropriate alternative test method or strategy is unavailable, the bill would require a testing facility to use a traditional animal test method pursuant to prescribed standards, including using the fewest number of animals possible. The bill would define alternative test method or strategy as a test method that does not use animals, provides information of equivalent or better scientific quality and relevance compared to traditional animal test methods, and has been identified and accepted for use by a federal agency or program, as specified. The bill would except from these provisions traditional animal tests performed for the purpose of medical research, as defined, and make conforming changes. This bill would delete the provision that the exclusive remedy for a violation of these provisions is a civil action for injunctive relief brought by, among others, the Attorney General, and would instead provide that these provisions shall be enforced in a civil action brought by those specified individuals, as prescribed. The bill would also, starting January 1, 2027, and annually thereafter, require a manufacturer or contract testing facility that uses traditional animal test methods to report specified information to the State Department of Public Health, and would require the department to make that information publicly available on its internet website. The bill would require the department to ensure that information made available to the public does not include personally identifiable information or proprietary information. Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest. This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.