AFTER Act of 2019

To amend the Animal Welfare Act to allow for the retirement of certain animals used in Federal research. 1. Short Title This Act may be cited as the Animal Freedom from Testing, Experiments, and Research Act of 2019 AFTER Act of 2019 2. Placement of animals used in federal research Section 14 of the Animal Welfare Act ( 7 U.S.C. 2144 14. Standards for Federal facilities (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Animal rescue organization The term animal rescue organization (2) Animal sanctuary The term animal sanctuary (A) is registered with the Secretary; (B) operates a place of refuge in which— (i) a covered animal is provided care for the lifetime of the animal; and (ii) an unescorted public visitation of that animal is not permitted; (C) does not engage in commercial trade of covered animals; (D) does not breed covered animals; (E) does not permit direct contact between the public and covered animals; (F) does not allow the use of a covered animal for performance or exhibition purposes; and (G) does not conduct or permit research on a covered animal other than noninvasive behavioral research. (3) Animal shelter The term animal shelter (A) accepts or seizes covered animals— (i) to care for the animals; (ii) to place those animals in a permanent adoptive home; or (iii) for purposes of law enforcement; and (B) does not— (i) engage in commercial trade of covered animals; (ii) breed covered animals; (iii) allow the use of a covered animal for performance or exhibition purposes; or (iv) conduct or permit research on a covered animal other than noninvasive behavioral research. (4) Covered animal The term covered animal (5) Nonprofit organization The term nonprofit organization section 501(c)(3) (6) Suitable for retirement The term “suitable for retirement” means, with respect to an animal, that the animal has been evaluated by a licensed veterinarian and is determined to be mentally and physically healthy. (b) Laboratory animal facilities and exhibitors Any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States that operates laboratory animal facilities or exhibits animals shall comply with the standards and other requirements promulgated by the Secretary under subsections (a), (f), (g), and (h) of section 13. (c) Retirement (1) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the AFTER Act of 2019 (A) facilitate and encourage the adoption of the animal by or placement of the animal with an animal rescue organization, animal sanctuary, animal shelter, or individual who intends to keep the animal as a pet; and (B) to the maximum extent practicable, collaborate with appropriate nonprofit organizations to carry out subparagraph (A). (2) National placement The regulations promulgated to carry out paragraph (1)(A) shall include consideration of placing animals with the entities described in that subparagraph that are located beyond the immediate geographic vicinity of the Federal research facility at which the animal being retired is located. .

Summary: Animal Freedom from Testing, Experiments, and Research Act of 2019 or the AFTER Act of 2019 This bill requires agencies or instrumentalities operating federal research facilities to promulgate regulations that facilitate and encourage the adoption of animals that are suitable for retirement.