• California Education Code Section 32255-32255.6 governs the use of animals in the classroom. The term “animal” is defined and appropriate uses of animals and animal parts are detailed. It can be found at: http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cacodes/edc/32255-32255.6.html

Florida

• Check Florida Education Statue 233.0674 of 988 (California Education Code § 32255 et sq.) It governs biological experiments on living things and is located at: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_Mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0233/Sec0674.htm&StatuteYear=1997


• The statute can also be found at: http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch1003/Sec47.HTM


• The statute states that it should not be interpreted to limit instruction but goes on to state: “PENALTY.--In the event that any instructional employee of a public high school or area technical center knowingly or intentionally fails or refuses to comply with any of the provisions of this section, the school board, acting as a board, may suspend, dismiss, return to annual contract, or otherwise discipline such employee as provided in s. 230.23(5)(f) in accordance with procedures established in chapter 231.”

Illinois

• The State of Illinois has posted a document that offers dissection alternatives. This is located at


• The actual legislation can be found at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1016&ChapAct=105%26nbsp%3BILCS%26nbsp%3B112%2F&ChapterID=17&ChapterName=SCHOOLS&ActName=Dissection Alternatives Act.


• (Dissection Alternatives Act 105 ILCS 112 et sq) Illinois Public Act 91-0771 amended the Alternative to Dissections Act.

Maine

• The use of animals in public and private schools is regulated by statute. Vivisection of animals in K-12 schools is prohibited. Dissection of dead animals must be confined to the classroom and the students engaged in the study and must not be for exhibition. Experiments on live vertebrate, except eggs, are restricted. Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 7, § 3971 For more information go to: http://www.ed.gov/pubs/RegPrivSchl/maine.html


• For a PDF of the Informational letter sent to superintendents go to: file://localhost/to http/::www.hsus.org:web-files:PDF:ARI:Maine_school_dissection_policy.pdf

Massachusetts

• Massachusetts has established a policy on dissection and dissection alternatives as part of the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. This policy can be found at: http://www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/math/111405newpolicy.html


• A document that provides further information regarding animal use in the classroom is located at: http://www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/math/111405guidance.pdf

Michigan

• Michigan is pursuing student choice legislation. House bill 4254 regarding dissection choice was introduced in 2005 and referred to the House Education Committee. You can read the bill at: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(3finm055dwgpdvmvl4pttt55))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=2005-HB-4254

New Jersey

• New Jersey Statute 18A:35-4.25  Refusal to participate in certain school activities related to animal dissection, etc. governs all public school students from kindergarten through grade 12.For the full text of the statute go to:

  http://www.hsus.org/web-files/PDF/ARI/New_Jersey_Dissection_Choice_Law.pdf

• New Jersey Statute 18A:35-4.24 Definitions relative to alternative education projects.  As used in this act:  Alternative education project means the use of video tapes, models, films, books, computers, or any other tools which provide an alternative method for obtaining and testing the knowledge, information, or experience required by a course of study. For the full text of the statute go to: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2004/Bills/AL05/266_.PDF

New Mexico

• New Mexico State Board of Education Policy requires that all science classes that include dissection activities as part of the curriculum must provide virtual dissection techniques as alternative activities for any student who is opposed to real dissections for ethical, moral, cultural, or religious reasons. For more information go to Section (8) page 6.30.2 at: http://www.ped.state.nm.us/div/sipds/health/dl/112805_docs/6.30.2 NMAC FINAL 09 16 05 - Emergency Drill -DORIS.pdf - search="dissection"

New York State

• New York State Education Law, Article 17 Instruction in Certain Subjects Section 809 Instruction in the humane treatment of animals. The law governs what is acceptable regarding the use of animals in the classroom. This regulation can be found at: http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcode.pl?frame=right2&type=srchres&case=/data/ny/code/claws/30/41.htm


• There is also a waiver that must be filed by a school before the performance of certain specified types of lessons or experimental studies on live vertebrate animals in school or during an activity conducted under the school’s auspices. This waiver must be filed and approved before the activity can be performed. The application form for this waiver is located at: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/809_5Wav.pdf. 

Ohio

• The Ohio Department of Natural Resources – Division of Wildlife has published “A Guide to Using Animals in the Classroom.” It is extremely comprehensive and covers everything from obtaining scientific collecting permits to how long an animal may be kept before it is no longer permitted to return it to the wild. This guide can be found at: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Portals/9/pdf/pub009.pdf


• Laws and Regulations governing the State ownership of wild animals and multiple education resources is located at: http://dnr.state.oh.us/Home/wild_resourcessubhomepage/Educator_Resourceslandingpage/Aguidetousinganimalsintheclassroom/tabid/17487/Default.aspx

Oregon

• Oregon currently has Senate Bill 383 sponsored by Senator Deckert. It addresses dissection and dissection alternatives. It can be found at: http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:xCByIZlQ7T0J:www.leg.state.or.us/05reg/measpdf/sb0300.dir/sb0383.en.pdf+Enrolled+Senate+Bill+383+Sponsored+by+Senator+DECKERT&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us&client=firefox-a   and   http://www.leg.state.or.us/05reg/measpdf/sb0300.dir/sb0383.en.pdf

Pennsylvania

• Public or nonpublic school pupils from kindergarten through grade twelve may refuse to dissect, vivisect, incubate, capture or otherwise warm or destroy animals, or any parts thereof, as part of their course of instruction. For the full text of Pennsylvania School Code, Section 1523, Pupil's Right of Refusal; Animal Dissection by clicking here. Note: Introductory information is located in the first paragraph. More details can be found on page 8 of the document.


• For the PDF version go to: http://www.hsus.org/webfiles/PDF/ARI/PA_school_dissection_statute.pdf

Rhode Island

• Rhode Island Statute Section §16-22-20 discusses a students right to refuse to dissect and the requirement that the teacher provide an alternate project.  For the full text go to: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE16/16-22/16-22-20.htm

Utah

• In April 2004, the Utah State Science Education Committee established guidelines for the responsible use of animals in the classroom. These guidelines also address the use and disposal of bacteria, human body fluids, and laboratory safety. For information regarding parental consent prior to dissection, classroom visitations by individuals brining animals from zoos or similar institutions, and the release of animals raised in the classroom by clicking here.


• Additional information is available from the:
  
  • Specific information governing the release of animals raised in the classroom is available from the Department of Natural Resources is located at: http://wildlife.utah.gov/fishing.
  
  
  • Information about “Collections, Importation, Transportation and Possession of Zoological Animals” may be found online at: http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/code/r657/r657-003.htm

Vermont

• The text of VT H. 711, § 912. Pupil's Right of Refusal; Animal Dissection can be found at: http://www.hsus.org/web-files/PDF/ARI/vermont-dissection-law.pdf


• Also check the State of Vermont Department of Wildlife Regulation #881, Governing the importation and possession of wild animals. It can be found at: http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:Y_u29YNAZF4J:www.vtfishandwildlife.com/library/Forms_and_Applications/Importation_ Application/Regulation_881.pdf+Vermont+use+of+animals+regulations&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=us&client=firefox-a   and   http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/library/Forms_and_Applications/Importation_ Application/Regulation_881.pdf


• Another useful site is sponsored by the Department of Health and has information about Animals and Field Trips. It is located at: http://healthvermont.gov/family/animals/field_trip.aspx

Virginia

• Code of Virginia § 22.1-200.0 addresses “Alternatives to dissection.” It is located in PDF format at: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/suptsmemos/2004/inf161a.pdf and as an html at http://leg1.state.va.us/000/cod/22.1-200.01.HTM

Wyoming

• As far as can be determined, Wyoming does not have any regulations governing the use of animals in the classroom. The State Board of Agriculture district representative was contacted but never replied.  Most Wyoming life science educators follow the science fair guidelines as put forth by ISEF.  In addition, city/county animal control laws govern every school.