HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — Beagles took center stage at the Capitol Tuesday.

This is called Beagles and Bagels and it’s pushing a Beagle bill. The bipartisan bill offers protections for cats and dogs. It would ban painful animal testing and promote adoptions.

There are 16 other states that have similar laws on the books. Lawmakers say a Virginia beagle breeding facility highlighted the need.

“It would defund any labs that are getting money from the taxpayers in Pennsylvania,” Senator Doug Mastriano said. “It would also force any existing labs to continue on without taxpayer dollars to have a plan in place for the animals get adopted, not discarded.”

“Although some labs are using the kinds of more humane approaches that that we’re asking to enact, many are not,” Senator Carolyn Comitta said.

Sponsors say they hope to pass the beagle bill this session.