Bill > S549

This bill aims to reduce food insecurity in Massachusetts by establishing a process for the salvage and distribution of animals killed in collisions with motor vehicles. The key provisions include: 1. Defining "eligible persons" as the driver or passengers of a vehicle that collided with and killed a "salvageable animal" (an animal killed or seriously injured in such a collision). 2. Requiring eligible persons who intend to salvage the animal to notify the Office of Law Enforcement and transport the carcass to a Division of Fisheries and Wildlife or Office of Law Enforcement installation within 24 hours, where it will be tagged and a permit issued. 3. Allowing the animal or its parts to be retained for personal use or donated to approved organizations (such as food pantries, soup kitchens, etc.) for distribution as food, with any fees considered donations. 4. Authorizing Environmental Police Officers to dispose of unclaimed salvageable animals to approved organizations or eligible persons. 5. Providing liability protections for organizations and donors acting in good faith when serving or distributing the donated meat. 6. Requiring the Department to annually report on the incidents and locations of animal collisions, salvage, and distribution of the meat. The overall goal of the bill is to reduce food insecurity by facilitating the salvage and distribution of animals killed in vehicle collisions for use as food.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S549