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WASHINGTON (July 10, 2008) — New York Gov. David Paterson signed into law on Tuesday a bill that requires more humane, accurate and less expensive tests to assess product safety. New York joins neighbor New Jersey and California as the only states in the nation to prohibit traditional animal experimentation for product testing when federally recommended alternatives exist.
"We applaud Governor Paterson for signing this important measure into law," said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. "New York industry, regulators and animals will all truly benefit from a codified policy for alternatives to traditional animal tests in the state. Fewer animals will suffer thanks to this humane and foresighted public policy."
Late last month, the New York Senate unanimously approved the measure, which had been passed by a 135-1 margin by the New York Assembly on June 2. This important legislation will save millions of animals from being used in the testing of cosmetics and household products, and will not impact medical research.
A. 7402 – introduced by Assembly member Linda Rosenthal (D, 67) – and S. 3528 – introduced by Senator Frank Padavan (R, 11) – were backed by the Humane Society Legislative Fund, The Humane Society of the United States and Doris Day Animal League.
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Media contact: Pepper Ballard, 240-751-0232, pballard@hslf.org
The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. On the web at hslf.org. | 
