Prohibits a medical training program from using a live animal while teaching medical procedures if any other accredited training program does not use animals or there is an alternate method that teaches the lesson without the use of an animal.
If passed, S2398 will amend Chapter 4-19 of the General Laws concerning 'Animal Care', thereby impacting how medical education is conducted in Rhode Island. The legislation is seen as a necessary step to promote ethical training practices that minimize harm to animals in educational contexts. It reflects a growing trend in which educational institutions are encouraged to explore and adopt non-animal-based teaching methods. The bill will take effect on January 1, 2026, allowing time for educational programs to adapt to the new regulations.
Bill S2398 aims to reform the use of live animals in medical training programs within the state. Specifically, it prohibits such programs from using live animals if there exists at least one other accredited program in the same medical discipline that does not employ live animals, or if there are alternative teaching methods available that effectively instruct medical procedures without animal involvement. This bill seeks to align medical training practices with contemporary ethical standards concerning animal welfare in educational settings.
While advocates for the bill argue that it will enhance animal welfare and foster innovative teaching methods, there may be contention among medical training programs favoring traditional methods that involve live animals for certain procedures. The debate centers around the effectiveness of non-animal-based methods in providing adequate training for medical professionals. Some stakeholders may express concerns that this legislation could limit the training experiences available to students, potentially affecting their preparedness in real-world medical scenarios.