2025 SESSION

ENROLLED

VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY -- CHAPTER

An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 13 of Chapter 65 of Title 3.2 a section numbered 3.2-6593.3, relating to animal testing facility operated by a state agency; nonhuman primates.

[S 907]

Approved

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 13 of Chapter 65 of Title 3.2 a section numbered 3.2-6593.3 as follows:

§ 3.2-6593.3. Animal testing facilities operated by a state agency; nonhuman primates.

A. For the purposes of this section:

"Certified sanctuary" means any facility that provides temporary or permanent safe haven to nonhuman primates that is fully accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries or certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

"Nonhuman primate" means all nonhuman members of the order Primates.

B. Any animal testing facility operated by a state agency that no longer has need for a nonhuman primate in its possession shall, in consultation with such animal testing facility's attending veterinarian, consider options for and determine the appropriate care and treatment of such nonhuman primate, which shall include offering for release such nonhuman primate to a certified sanctuary. Such animal testing facility may enter into an agreement with such certified sanctuary for the implementation of the provisions of this section.