The Massachusetts Legislature adjourned its 2017-18 legislative session on December 31, 2018.
49 pet industry-related issues were introduced, 28 of which were considered priority by PIJAC.
Final Disposition of Priority Legislation:
BILL # | SUMMARY | FINAL DISPOSITION |
HB 407 | Amends Title XX (Public Safety & Good Order), Chapter 140 (Licenses) of MA General Laws by adding a new Section 174F to provide for the regulation of boarding kennels and daycare facilities for dogs. | SUBSTITUTED BY SB 2461 |
HB 554 | Amends Title XXII (Corporations), Chapter 175 (Insurance) of MA General Laws by adding a new Section 228 concerning the use of certain insurance underwriting guidelines pertaining to dogs harbored upon the insured property. | DIED IN STUDY ORDER |
HB 852 | Amends Title I (Crimes & Punishments), Chapter 272 (Crimes Against Chastity, Morality, Decency & Good Order) of MA General Laws by adding a new Section 106 to establish an animal abuse registry. | DIED IN STUDY ORDER |
HB 1078 | Amends Title XX (Public Safety & Good Order), Chapter 140 (Licenses) of MA General Laws to add a new Section 137E providing for licensing of commercial breeder kennels. | DIED IN STUDY ORDER |
HB 1080 | Amends Title XX (Public Safety & Good Order), Chapter 140 (Licenses) of MA General Laws by adding new Sections 141D-F to: 1) restrict the sourcing of cats and dogs by pet shops; and 2) amend existing consumer remedies for animals designated as "unfit for purchase". | DIED IN STUDY ORDER |
HB 1084 | Amends Title XX (Public Safety & Good Order), Chapter 140 (Licenses) of MA General Laws by adding a new Section 141C to: 1) restrict the sourcing of cats and dogs by pet shops; and 2) amend existing consumer remedies for animals designated as "unfit for purchase". | DIED IN STUDY ORDER |
HB 2290 | An Act changing the legal status of "pets" from personal property to "companion animals". | DIED IN STUDY ORDER |
HB 2419 | Amends Title XXII (Corporations), Chapter 175 (Insurance) of MA General Laws by adding a new Section 228 to prohibit breed-specific dog discrimination on the part of insurance companies offering homeowners insurance coverage. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
HB 3212 | Amends Title XX (Public Safety & Good Order), Chapter 140 (Licenses) of MA General Laws by adding the following new sections regarding the retail sale and transfer of dogs and cats: 1) Definitions; 2) Consumer Warranty; 3) Consumer Warranty-Period of Eligibility; 4) Sourcing Restrictions; 5) Prohibiting Road Side Sales; 5) Mandatory Microchipping Requirement; 6) Shelter Recordkeeping & Reporting; 7) Statewide Uniformity and Enforcement; and 8) Sale of Small Animals-Instructions on Care. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
HB 3544 | Amends Chapter 13 (Division & Boards of Registration) of MA General Laws by adding a new section to provide for the certification of pet groomers. | DIED IN STUDY ORDER |
HB 3561 | Amends Title XIX (Agriculture & Conservation), Chapter 129 (Livestock Disease Control) of MA General Laws by adding Sections 49-57 relative to the importation of animals for rescue, shelter, foster, adoption or remote sale. | SUBSTITUTED BY HB 4279 |
HB 4279 | Amends Title XIX (Agriculture & Conservation), Chapter 129 (Livestock Disease Control) of MA General Laws by adding Sections 49-57 relative to the importation of animals for rescue, shelter, foster, adoption or remote sale. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
HB 4565 | Amends Title XXII (Corporations), Chapter 175 (Insurance) of MA General Laws by adding a new Section 228 to restrict insurance companies from considering ownership of specific breeds of dogs when issuing homeowner's insurance policies. | SUBSTITUTED BY SB 2646 |
SB 406 | Amends Title XX (Public Safety & Good Order), Chapter 140 (Licenses) of MA General Laws by adding a new Section 174F to provide for the regulation of boarding kennels and daycare facilities for dogs. | SUBSTITUTED BY SB 2461 |
SB 460 | Amends Title XX (Public Safety & Good Order), Chapter 140 (Licenses), Sections 136A (Definitions), 137A (Kennel Licenses), 137B (Sale or Delivery of Unlicensed Dog by Kennel Licensee) and 137C (Inspection of Kennels) of MA General Laws to prevent animal suffering by irresponsible breeding practices. | DIED IN STUDY ORDER |
SB 470 | Amends Title XIX (Agriculture & Conservation), Chapter 129 (Livestock Disease Control), Section 39A (Pet shops; licensing operation; animal health inspections) of MA General Laws to ban the sale of cats and dogs in commercial pet shops. | DIED IN STUDY ORDER |
SB 533 | Amends Title XXII (Corporations), Chapter 175 (Insurance) of MA General Laws by adding a new Section 228 concerning the use of certain insurance underwriting guidelines pertaining to dogs harbored upon the insured property. | DIED IN STUDY ORDER |
SB 589 | Amends Title XXII (Corporations), Chapter 175 (Insurance) of MA General Laws by adding a new Section 228 to regulate pet insurance in the State. | DIED IN STUDY ORDER |
SB 882 | Amends Part IV (Crimes, Punishments & Proceedings in Criminal Cases), Title I (Crimes & Punishments), Chapter 272 (Crimes Against Chastity, Morality, Decency & Good Order), Section 85A (Injuring, taking away or harboring domesticated animals or birds) of MA General Laws by adding a new Section 85A 1/2 to award non-economic damages for the wrongful death of a companion animal. | DIED IN STUDY ORDER |
SB 1155 | Amends Title XX (Public Safety & Good Order), Chapter 140 (Licenses) of MA General Laws by adding new Sections 141D-F to: 1) restrict the sourcing of cats and dogs by pet shops; and 2) amend existing consumer remedies for animals designated as "unfit for purchase". | SUBSTITUTED BY SB 2331 |
SB 1159 | Amends Title XXII (Corporations), Chapter 175 (Insurance) of MA General Laws by adding a new Section 228 to restrict insurance companies from considering ownership of specific breeds of dogs when issuing homeowner's insurance policies. | SUBSTITUTED BY SB 2332 |
SB 2331 | Amends Title XX (Public Safety & Good Order), Chapter 140 (Licenses) of MA General Laws by adding new Sections 141C-F to: 1) restrict the sourcing of cats and dogs by pet shops; and 2) amend existing consumer remedies for animals designated as "unfit for sale". | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
SB 2332 | Amends Title XXII (Corporations), Chapter 175 (Insurance) of MA General Laws by adding a new Section 228 to restrict insurance companies from considering ownership of specific breeds of dogs when issuing homeowner's insurance policies. | SUBSTITUTED BY SB 2347 |
SB 2347 | Amends Title XXII (Corporations), Chapter 175 (Insurance) of MA General Laws by adding a new Section 228 to restrict insurance companies from considering ownership of specific breeds of dogs when issuing homeowner's insurance policies. | SUBSTITUTED BY SB 2646 |
SB 2461 | Amends Title XX (Public Safety & Good Order), Chapter 140 (Licenses) of MA General Laws by adding a new Section 174F to provide for the regulation of boarding kennels and daycare facilities for dogs. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
SB 2646 | Amends Title I (Crimes & Punishments), Chapter 272 (Crimes Against Chastity, Morality, Decency & Good Order) of MA General Laws by adding several new provisions regarding animal cruelty reporting, recordkeeping, and animal abandonment. | ENACTED |
ORD 2016002 | Proposed Ordinance (No. O-10) to amend Title 6 (Animals) of Cambridge, MA Municipal Code by adding a new Chapter 6.20 (Restrictions on the sale of animals in stores) to prohibit the retail sale of birds, mammals or reptiles, with exemptions. | ADOPTED |
ORD 2017001 | An Ordinance amending Chapter 3 (Animals & Fowl) of Stoneham, MA Town Code by adding a new Article 25 to prohibit the retail sale of dogs and cats in the town. | ADOPTED |
Click Here to view bill text and final status for ALL Massachusetts legislation tracked by PIJAC in 2017-18.
Click Here to view status of ALL Massachusetts local ordinances tracked by PIJAC in 2017-18.
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