AFTER Act of 2023

To amend the Animal Welfare Act to allow for the retirement of certain animals used in Federal research, and for other purposes. 1. Short Title This Act may be cited as the Animal Freedom from Testing, Experiments, and Research Act of 2023 AFTER Act of 2023 2. Placement of animals used in federal research (a) In general 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 (A) In general The term covered animal (B) Exclusions The term covered animal (i) a rat of the genus Rattus; or (ii) a mouse of the genus Mus. (5) Nonprofit organization The term nonprofit organization section 501(c)(3) (6) Suitable for retirement The term suitable for retirement (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), (g), (h), and (i) of section 13. (c) Retirement (1) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the AFTER Act of 2023 (A) facilitate and encourage the adoption of the animal by, or placement of the animal with— (i) an animal rescue organization, animal sanctuary, animal shelter, or individual who intends to keep the animal as a pet; or (ii) in the case of a nonhuman primate, an animal sanctuary; 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. (d) Effect on other laws Nothing in this section, including regulations promulgated under subsection (c)(1), shall— (1) preempt any State or local law relating to the adoption or placement of animals used in research that is more stringent than the requirements of this section; (2) prohibit, prevent, forestall, or otherwise impede the placement of any chimpanzee that has been used, or was bred or purchased for use, in research conducted or supported by a Federal agency into the sanctuary system established under section 404K of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 283m (3) prevent a State or unit of local government from adopting or enforcing an animal welfare law that is more stringent than this section. . (b) Technical amendments Section 13 of the Animal Welfare Act ( 7 U.S.C. 2143 (1) by redesignating subsections (g) and (h) as subsections (h) and (i), respectively; and (2) by redesignating the second subsection (f) (relating to the certification requirement for the delivery of any animal) as subsection (g).

Summary: Animal Freedom from Testing, Experiments, and Research Act of 2023 or the AFTER Act of 2023 This bill requires departments, agencies, or instrumentalities that operate federal research facilities or exhibit animals to promulgate regulations that facilitate and encourage the adoption of certain animals that are suitable for retirement.