Bill strengthens animal welfare protections, modernizes veterinary technician licensing, and supports responsible pet ownership
BOSTON – State Representative Richard M. Haggerty (D-Woburn) recently joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives to pass legislation that strengthens animal welfare, modernizes veterinary care, improves consumer protections, and supports responsible pet ownership across the Commonwealth.
“As a proud dog owner myself, this legislation hits close to home,” said Representative Haggerty. “My golden retriever Molly, an important part of my family, deserves the best care possible. This bill helps protect our beloved pets and animals in Massachusetts through stronger oversight, holding bad actors accountable, and expanding access to quality veterinary care while also protecting consumers. I am also pleased that this bill ensures seniors in public housing are able to keep their beloved pets with some reasonable guidelines. Together, these reforms are making Massachusetts a safer and more compassionate place for pets and the families who love them. Molly would approve.”
The bill also modernizes the Commonwealth’s dog licensing and kennel oversight laws by strengthening inspection requirements, by improving reporting from licensing authorities, and by ensuring that dogs housed in kennels are properly licensed. The legislation provides practical updates for licensed kennels by allowing alternative forms of identification, such as microchips, under specified circumstances, while maintaining accountability and traceability for animals in their care.
To strengthen animal protection, the legislation establishes a clearer legal process for addressing cases of animal neglect. Law enforcement and animal control officers will be able to petition courts for timely intervention when animals are suffering from neglect, allowing courts to order appropriate care, remove animals from dangerous situations when necessary, or permanently prohibit individuals from owning animals in serious cases.
The bill strengthens protections for animals used in research by expanding adoption opportunities for dogs and cats after research concludes, and by increasing public reporting. The bill prohibits a manufacturer or contract testing facility from using a traditional animal test method if there is an alternative test method when testing a product, product formulation, chemical or ingredient. The bill also updates Massachusetts law governing pet insurance by adopting nationally recognized consumer protection standards.
The legislation establishes a statewide pet ownership program for older adults living in public housing. The program prohibits blanket bans on pets while allowing housing authorities to adopt reasonable pet policies that protect residents, animals, and housing facilities. An advisory group will develop recommendations to support the implementation of the program.
The bill further improves accessibility for individuals with disabilities by establishing meaningful penalties for transportation network companies (TNC) and drivers who unlawfully refuse service to riders accompanied by service animals, and ensuring stronger enforcement of existing accessibility requirements.
The bill creates a statewide licensing framework for veterinary technicians under the Board of Registration in Veterinary Medicine. The legislation expands the Board to include licensed veterinary technicians, establishes professional licensing standards, creates temporary licensure pathways, and provides a transition period to ensure the profession is fully licensed by 2031.
The legislation makes significant investments in animal health and welfare by expanding the allowable uses of the Homeless Animal Prevention and Care Fund, and by directing additional revenue from animal health and livestock disease enforcement fines into the fund to support programs that improve animal care throughout Massachusetts.
Having passed the House of Representatives 151-1, the bill now goes back to the Senate for further consideration.
