Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act Passes in California Senate

This week, California senators voted 21 to 9 in favor of the California Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act (SB1249). The legislation—authored by Senator Cathleen Galgiani and sponsored by organizations Social Compassion in Legislation (SCIL) and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM)—would make it illegal for cosmetics manufacturers to sell any finished product or component that was knowingly tested on animals after January 1, 2020. “I appreciate that Democratic and Republican senators came together to move this important policy forward,” Galgiani said. “Looking your best shouldn’t have to come at the expense of harming animals with painful eye and skin tests.” Several celebrity animal-rights activists—including actresses Maggie Q, Harley Quinn Smith, and Katie Cleary—were present to lobby senators to support SB1249. The legislation has now been moved to the state’s Assembly, which must make its decision by the end of September. “We are grateful for every vote cast today knowing hundreds of thousands of animals’ lives are on the line every year,” SCIL founder Judie Mancuso said. “SB 1249 is a crucial step towards making all cosmetics that are sold in California cruelty-free. We are hopeful the members of the Assembly will agree.”