The California Assembly recently passed Assembly Bill 1282, which establishes procedures for phasing out commercial blood banks for animals (also defined in the bill as “captive closed-colony” blood banks), which are facilities where animals are kept, raised, and housed for the sole purpose of blood collection.
While the bill passed the Assembly in early June, it still awaits assignment to the appropriate policy Senate Committee. All policy committees must take action on legislation July 14, 2021.
What the Bill Does:
AB 1282 as passed by the Assembly makes several changes, including:
- Providing a procedure for the phasing out of current “closed-colony” animal blood banks if blood banks using community-sourced blood are able to collect the same amount of blood as the commercial banks. Community-sourcing is defined in the bill as owners who voluntarily bring in animals that are kept at their residence to donate blood, similar in principle to human blood banks (It clarifies that owners of donors may not include corporations, groups, etc.).
If the California Department of Food and Agriculture determines that an equivalent amount of blood has been collected at community banks, then the closed-colony banks in the state could be ultimately shut down.
- Redefining “commercial blood bank” to instead refer to these community banks where blood and blood products obtained from community sources are produced and sold for the cure, treatment, mitigation, or prevention of disease or injury in animals.
If you wish to comment:
The bill has passed the Assembly, but has not yet been assigned to a Senate committee. Those who wish may contact their State Senator regarding this bill. Visit the AKC Legislative Action Center and type your zip code in the “find your officials” box to get the name and contact information for your State Senator.
AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) will continue to monitor this legislation. For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.