Vermont Enacts Student Choice Legislation!

Students in grades K-12 in Vermont will now be able to say “No” to harming animals in order to study life science. The Vermont Dissection Choice Bill (S. 34), which allows students to select a humane alternative to dissection, has been signed into law by the Governor.

Vermont is the 10th state to enact student choice legislation. Other states that offer students the legal right to choose an alternative are California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia. Additionally, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, and New Mexico offer informal policies.

Student choice laws usually require schools to notify students and/or their parents at the beginning of courses involving animal dissection. They protect students who believe that dissection is inhumane from being penalized for making that decision.

There are hundreds of alternatives to animal dissection available free through Animalearn’s loan program The Science Bank. Students or educators who are interested in using an alternative to dissection can contact Animalearn for help in selecting the best alternative to fit their educational needs.

Animalearn, the education division of the American Anti-Vivisection Society, is dedicated to assisting educators and students in finding non-animal methods to teach and study science. Towards that objective, Animalearn created The Science Bank, a comprehensive lending program of 450 CD-ROMS, realistic models, and many more humane products that enable educators to teach and students to learn anatomy, physiology, and psychology lessons without harming animals. Compassionate students and educators can access this program online at www.Animalearn.org or call (800)729-2287.

Download the press release

Contacts: Laura Ducceschi, 215-887-0816, info@animalearn.org

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