The California State Assembly today (Aug. 29) approved Assembly Bill 2296, the Researcher Protection Act of 2008, on a bipartisan unanimous vote of 78-0. This action follows the California State Senate's bipartisan unanimous support on Aug. 22 for the bill by Assemblymember Gene Mullin, D-South San Francisco.

The University of California strongly supports AB 2296, which would help enhance law enforcement's ability to protect academic researchers and their families from acts of violence and intimidation perpetrated by anti-animal research extremists.

"The University of California applauds the Legislature's passage of this legislation, which provides new tools to law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of crimes against academic researchers and their families," said UC President Mark G. Yudof. "The Legislature, led by Assemblymember Mullin, has taken an important step in supporting university research that aims to enhance the health and well-being of people throughout California and around the world."

The bill next moves to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

For more information on AB 2296 and the University of California, visit www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/animalresearch

For more information on the University of California: www.universityofcalifornia.edu