The bill moved forward in the House on October 6 and is now awaiting committee review. It still needs final votes and the governor’s signature to become law.
What Would Change for Cosmetics?
The official amended bill would prohibit manufacturers from selling cosmetics in Pennsylvania if they were developed or manufactured using animal tests conducted or commissioned by the manufacturer or its suppliers on or after January 1, 2027. Tests carried out before that date would not be covered by the restriction.
The bill includes exceptions, so not every cosmetic sold in Pennsylvania would be cruelty-free. Companies could still sell products tested on animals to meet another country’s requirements, as long as they don’t use those results to demonstrate the product’s safety in the U.S. The restrictions also wouldn’t cover medical research or certain tests required for purposes other than cosmetics.
A Chance at Life Outside the Lab
The bill also addresses what happens to dogs and cats once their use in research or testing ends. Eligible animals would have an opportunity to be adopted into homes.
For an animal who can safely leave a laboratory, the chance to become someone’s companion should be possible and encouraged. The proposal also includes stronger oversight and accountability requirements for research facilities.
What Hasn’t Changed Yet
As promising as this is, Pennsylvania has not passed a new cosmetics ban yet. As of October 16, 2026, the official bill history shows SB 381 awaiting further House action.
The Senate approved an earlier version in September 2025. The amended bill still needs approval from the full House and agreement from the Senate before it can go to Governor Josh Shapiro.
The adoption provisions also do not mean that all research involving dogs and cats would end. They address the opportunity for eligible animals to find homes after their time in research.
How You Can Help
If you live in Pennsylvania, contact your state representative and senator and ask them to support SB 381’s animal-protection provisions. You can follow the bill’s progress through the official legislative record linked above.
We want a beauty industry where animal testing is no longer an option. This bill is still in the works, but Pennsylvania has an opportunity to move closer to that goal while helping animals already in laboratories.
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