summary
Introduced
04/15/2015
04/15/2015
In Committee
06/23/2016
06/23/2016
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
07/31/2016
07/31/2016
Introduced Session
189th General Court
Bill Summary
For legislation to protect animals during pet sales. Municipalities and Regional Government.
AI Summary
This bill aims to protect puppies and kittens by establishing new regulations for their sale and the operations of animal breeders and pet shops. It prohibits the transfer of dogs or cats younger than 8 weeks old, with a $100 fine for violations. A licensed veterinarian can declare an animal "unfit for purchase" if it has a significant health defect, congenital or hereditary condition, or disease that was present at the time of sale, providing specific documentation within certain timeframes after the sale. If an animal is deemed unfit, the seller must offer the buyer a refund, an exchange for a comparable animal, or reimbursement for veterinary costs, with specific limits on reimbursement amounts. The bill also allows sellers to have a second veterinarian examine the animal if they dispute the buyer's claim. Additionally, it updates regulations for kennels and catteries, allowing for inspections and license revocation for non-compliance or public nuisance complaints, and mandates the Department of Agriculture to create rules for commercial and personal breeding kennels focusing on animal care standards. Crucially, pet shops are prohibited from selling dogs or cats that originate from breeders who have violated the federal Animal Welfare Act, lack necessary licenses, or are not compliant with state kennel regulations, though pet shops can still acquire animals from shelters.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Government Affairs
Sponsors (51)
Karen Spilka (D)*,
Jim Arciero (D),
Brian Ashe (D),
Cory Atkins (D),
Jennifer Benson (D),
Paul Brodeur (D),
Will Brownsberger (D),
Thomas Calter (D),
Harriette Chandler (D),
Edward Coppinger (D),
Cynthia Creem (D),
Josh Cutler (D),
Angelo D'Emilia (R),
Marjorie Decker (D),
Sal DiDomenico (D),
Kenneth Donnelly (D),
Michelle DuBois (D),
Carolyn Dykema (D),
Lori Ehrlich (D),
Jamie Eldridge (D),
Linda Forry (D),
Sean Garballey (D),
Robert Hedlund (R),
Paul Heroux (D),
Pat Jehlen (D),
Brad Jones (R),
John Keenan (D),
Thomas Kennedy (D),
Barbara L'Italien (D),
Jason Lewis (D),
Joan Lovely (D),
Timothy Madden (D),
Thomas McGee (D),
Joe McGonagle (D),
Leonard Mirra (R),
Mark Montigny (D),
Mike Moore (D),
Marc Pacheco (D),
Sarah Peake (D),
Thomas Petrolati (D),
Angelo Puppolo (D),
Richard Ross (R),
Jeff Roy (D),
Danny Ryan (D),
Tom Stanley (D),
Benjamin Swan (D),
Bruce Tarr (R),
Walter Timilty (D),
Timothy Toomey (D),
Paul Tucker (D),
Chris Walsh (D),
Last Action
New draft substituted, as amended, see S2370 (on 06/28/2016)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location | Created |
|---|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/Senate/S1103 | 11/24/2016 |
| State Bill Page | https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/S1103 | 04/16/2015 |
| Bill | https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/S1103.pdf | 04/16/2015 |
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