SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2314        FILED ON: 8/24/2017

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2165

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Richard J. Ross

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to the protection of service animals.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Richard J. Ross

Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex

Jeffrey N. Roy

10th Norfolk


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2314        FILED ON: 8/24/2017

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2165

By Mr. Ross, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2165) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Richard J. Ross and Jeffrey N. Roy for legislation relative to the protection of service animals.  The Judiciary.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)

_______________

 

An Act relative to the protection of service animals.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Clause (2) of subsection (b) of section 3 of chapter 258C of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following subclause:-

“(J) A physically impaired person who uses an assistance animal or the owner of the assistance animal shall be eligible for compensation if the assistance animal is the victim of the crime. The person shall be eligible for veterinary medical expenses and the replacement cost of an equally trained assistance animal, without any differentiation for the age or the experience of the animal, in the event that the crime results in the death of the animal or the injuries sustained prevent the assistance animal from returning to service.”