HR4512-119

What This Bill Does

The TRANS MICE Act is a federal funding prohibition for a defined category of animal research. It bars federal funds from being made available to conduct, support, or fund, directly or indirectly, covered research on a qualified animal. Covered research means research studying effects of drugs, hormones, surgery, or other interventions to alter the body of a qualified animal so it no longer corresponds to the animal's biological sex, including disrupting development, inhibiting natural functions, or modifying physical appearance. Qualified animals are non-human vertebrate species, including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians, but excluding species that naturally change sex during their lifetime or naturally possess both male and female reproductive organs. The bill does not regulate privately funded research directly; its mechanism is federal funding denial.

Who Benefits and How

Opponents of federally funded sex-trait alteration research in non-human vertebrates benefit from a direct funding ban. Federal grant reviewers benefit from statutory definitions of covered research, qualified animals, and excepted animals. Researchers working on naturally sex-changing species benefit from an explicit exception for excepted animals. Taxpayer advocates opposing this research benefit from a clear restriction on direct and indirect federal support.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Federally funded animal researchers lose access to federal support for covered research on qualified animals. Federal science agencies must screen grants, contracts, and indirect support for prohibited covered research. Universities receiving federal research money must monitor animal-research proposals for compliance. Qualified-animal research programs may need to redesign studies or find nonfederal funding.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits federal funds for covered research on qualified animals.
• Defines covered research to include drugs, hormones, surgery, or interventions that alter an animal body away from its biological sex.
• Defines qualified animals as non-human vertebrates including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians.
• Provides exceptions for non-human vertebrates that naturally change sex or naturally possess both reproductive organs.