# Agriculture (GAG)

## Title 15. Research Facilities That Use Dogs or Cats

### Subtitle 1

#### Section 15-101

(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b)

  (1) "Alternative test method" means a test method, including a new or revised method, that:

    (i) Does not use live vertebrate animals;

    (ii) Produces information of equivalent or better scientific quality and relevance compared to traditional animal test methods; and

    (iii) Has been identified and accepted for use by the federal agency or program within the federal agency responsible for regulating the specific product or activity for which the test is being conducted.

  (2) "Alternative test method" includes:

    (i) Computational toxicology and bioinformatics;

    (ii) High-throughput screening methods;

    (iii) Testing categories of chemical substances;

    (iv) Tiered testing methods;

    (v) In vitro studies; and

    (vi) Systems biology.

(c) "Chemical substance" means any organic or inorganic substance including:

  (1) A pesticide, as defined in 7 U.S.C. Sec. 136(u);

  (2) A chemical substance, as defined in 15 U.S.C. Sec. 2602(2); and

  (3) A food additive, as defined in 21 U.S.C. Sec. 321(s).

(d)

  (1) "Medical research" means research related to:

    (i) The causes, diagnosis, treatment, control, or prevention of physical or mental diseases or impairment in humans or animals; or

    (ii) The development of biomedical products, medical devices, or drugs as defined in 21 U.S.C. Sec. 321(g).

  (2) "Medical research" does not include the testing of an ingredient that was formerly used as a drug and that is now proposed for use in a product other than a biomedical product, medical device, or drug.

(e)

  (1) "Research facility" means any facility in the State that uses live vertebrate animals for research, education, or experimentation.

  (2) "Research facility" does not include a partnership, a corporation, an association, an institution, an organization, or any other entity in the State that provides only beneficial services to an animal such as spaying and neutering.

(f)

  (1) "Testing facility" means a public or private partnership, corporation, association, organization, or any other entity in the State that uses live vertebrate animals for the testing of:

    (i) Chemical substances;

    (ii) Ingredients;

    (iii) Products; or

    (iv) Product formulations.

  (2) "Testing facility" includes a partnership, a corporation, an association, an organization, or any other entity in the State that is owned, leased, or operated by a public or private entity.

  (3) "Testing facility" does not include:

    (i) A partnership, a corporation, an association, an institution, an organization, or any other entity in the State that provides only beneficial services to an animal such as spaying and neutering; or

    (ii) A school or an institution of higher education.

(g) "Traditional animal test method" means a process, an experiment, or a procedure that:

  (1) Uses live vertebrate animals to obtain information on the characteristics of a chemical substance, an ingredient, a product formulation, or a product; and

  (2) Generates information regarding the ability of the chemical substance, ingredient, product formulation, or product to produce a specific biological effect under specified conditions.

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Md. Code Ann., Agric. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)