Bill > H1938

This bill proposes modifications to Section 174E of chapter 140 of Massachusetts law regarding animal cruelty citations, primarily expanding the scope of regulations from specifically referencing dogs to covering all animals. The bill makes three key changes: first, it replaces the word "dog" with "animal" in subparts (f) and (g) of the existing law, broadening the application of the regulations; second, it changes the phrase "a dog" to "an animal" in subpart (f), again expanding the legal language to be more inclusive; and third, it adds a new subpart (j) that requires the commissioner of agricultural resources to develop implementation regulations in consultation with the Animal Control Officers Association of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the Animal Rescue League of Boston. These changes suggest an intent to create more comprehensive and uniform standards for addressing animal cruelty across different types of animals, not just dogs, and to ensure that the new regulations are developed with input from relevant animal welfare organizations.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1938