Indiana legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Indiana HB1203: Adoption of research animals.
Status: In committee, January 8, 2026
Requires research facilities to offer for adoption dogs or cats no longer required for research purposes.
What the bill says
A bill FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning agriculture and animals.
From the introduced text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning agriculture and animals. SECTION 1. IC 15-20-5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026]: Chapter 5. Retired Animal Adoption Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "animal care facility" has the meaning set forth in IC 6-9-39-1. Sec. 2. (a) As used in this chapter, "research facility" means a privately or government owned, leased, or (2) corporation; (3) association; (4) school; (5) institution; or (6) organization; located in Indiana that uses animals for experimentation or research or that tests chemical substances, ingredients, drugs, medical devices, vaccines, products, or product formulations on 2026 IN 1203--LS 6294/DI animals. (b) The term includes a facility that carries out biomedical research or educational research. (c) The term does not (2) a corporation; (3) an association; (4) a school; (5) an institution; or (6) an organization; that primarily provides veterinary services to an animal. Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "retired animal" means a dog or cat (2) has previously been used for research; (3) is no longer required for research purposes; and (4) the research facility's attending veterinarian deems suitable for adoption. Sec. 4. A research facility shall establish an adoption program for retired animals confined at the research facility. Sec. …
Sponsors
- Hall, Dave (R) · primary sponsor
- Beau Baird (R, HD-044)
- Kyle Miller (D, HD-082)
- Alaina Shonkwiler (R, HD-029)
Latest actions
- : Representative Shonkwiler added as coauthor
- : Authored by Representative Hall
- : Coauthored by Representatives Baird, Miller K
- : First reading: referred to Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development
Subjects: ANIMALS; Generally
Common questions
- What is HB1203?
- HB1203 is a bill in the Indiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Adoption of research animals.
- What does HB1203 do?
- In its own words: A bill FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning agriculture and animals.
- What is the status of HB1203?
- In committee as of January 8, 2026. Latest action: Representative Shonkwiler added as coauthor (January 8, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1203?
- Hall, Dave (R), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1203?
- On the Indiana Legislature website: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/house/1203
Source: official Indiana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.