HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3797        FILED ON: 1/18/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1855

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

David Biele

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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 relating to pet internments in certain cemetery corporations.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3797        FILED ON: 1/18/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1855

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 3231 OF 2017-2018.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

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An Act relating to pet internments in certain cemetery corporations.

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.  Section 1 of chapter 114 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting the following before the word "Tomb":-

"'Pet cremated remains', ashes and or other residue recovered after the completion of cremation of any domestic animal that has been adapted or tamed to live in intimate association with people where such cremation has occurred at a pet crematorium.

'Pet crematorium', any land, place, structure, facility or building provided by any person for a fee, whether or not for profit, to

veterinarians or members of the general public for the cremation of pets. However, a pet crematorium shall not provide for permanent interment or inurnment of pet remains."

SECTION 2.  Chapter 114 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following sectio:

"Section 52. Internment of pet remains.  The internment of pet cremated remains in a cemetery corporation shall be available to a lot owner only in those circumstances where the internment is incidental to the burial of human remains and where authorization has been provided in a written statement from the cemetery corporation.  The cemetery corporation shall provide a list of approved charges for the internment of such remains. All payments received for internment of such remains shall be deposited in the cemetery corporation's permanent maintenance fund. Pet cremated remains must be disposed of by placing them in a grave, crypt, or niche. Nothing in this section shall obligate a cemetery corporation to allow internment of such cremated pet remains where prior approval at the time of sale or in advance of need has not been received. The provisions of this section shall not apply to an incorporated or unincorporated cemetery operated, supervised or controlled by a religious corporation or a lot, plot or part thereof whose record owner is an incorporated or unincorporated religious association or society."