The proposed legislation, known as the "Cruelty Free Cosmetics Act," establishes a new chapter in Title 69 RCW that prohibits the sale of cosmetics tested on animals in Washington State, effective January 1, 2025. It defines key terms such as "cosmetic," "cosmetic animal testing," and "manufacturer," and outlines the conditions under which cosmetic animal testing may be exempt from the prohibition. Specifically, the act allows for exceptions if the testing was conducted outside the U.S. for foreign regulatory compliance, if the product is regulated under federal law, or if the testing was mandated by a regulatory authority under certain conditions.

Additionally, the act imposes penalties for violations, with fines up to $5,000 for each infraction. It also prevents local governments from enacting their own regulations on cosmetic animal testing that differ from the state law. The legislation aims to align with growing public sentiment against animal testing in the cosmetics industry while ensuring that manufacturers can still comply with necessary safety regulations. The act will take effect on January 1, 2025, and includes a provision that if any part of the act is found invalid, the remaining sections will still be enforceable.