§3984. Enforcement of lien

The commissioner chief humane agent or any person having a lien in accordance with section 3982 or 3983 may enforce the lien in the same manner as enforcements of liens on personal property pursuant to Title 10, chapter 631.

§3985. Immunity from liability

Neither the commissioner chief humane agent nor any person having a lien in accordance with section 3982 or 3983 is liable for the detention of animals pursuant to this chapter.

Sec. 23. 7 MRSA §3991, as amended by PL 1999, c. 547, Pt. B, §24 and affected by §80, is further amended to read:

§3991. Regulation of research institutions

1. License necessary. No A research or teaching institution of higher education may not employ live animals in scientific investigation, experiment or instruction or for the testing of drugs or medicines without first having been issued a license under this section by the commissioner chief humane agent. A research or teaching institution desiring to obtain a license shall make application to the commissioner chief humane agent. On receipt of the application, the commissioner chief humane agent shall make or cause to be made such investigation as it the chief humane agent considers necessary to determine whether the public interest will be served by the issuance of the license. The commissioner chief humane agent may issue the license provided that as long as the research or teaching institution, by reason of its standards, facilities, practices or activities, is a fit and proper institution to receive the license and that its issuance is in the public interest. The standards for licensure shall be are those contained in the United States Code, Title 7, Section 2143, and any federal regulations issued pursuant to that law. Nothing in this chapter may be construed to be more restrictive than federal law. In the case of conflict between state law and federal law or a mandatory rule, regulation or