SENATE DOCKET, NO. 502        FILED ON: 1/14/2019

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1820

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Cynthia Stone Creem

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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 relative to pet fees.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 502        FILED ON: 1/14/2019

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1820

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 relative to pet fees.

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. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a special commission is hereby established for the purposes of making an investigation and study relative to pet fees. Specifically, the special commission shall examine the following:

(a)The current use of monthly pet fees by landlords of all types, including what additional pet services or amenities are provided in exchange for pet fees;

(b)The proportionality of pet fees to actual average pet damage to rental property;

(c)The extent to which pet fees encourage landlords to accept pets;

(d)The extent to which pet fees discourage pet ownership, especially among older residents;

(e)Whether pet fees ought to be subject to greater regulation in the Commonwealth; and

(f)The advisability of allowing a landlord to collect a pet security deposit (in addition to the security deposit currently allowed under section 15B of chapter 186 of the General Laws).

SECTION 2. The commission shall consist of 15 members: 1 member whom shall be the president of the senate or a designee who shall serve as co-chair, 1 of whom shall be the minority leader of the senate or a designee; 1 of whom shall be the speaker of the house or a designee who shall serve as co-chair, 1 of whom shall be the minority leader of the house of representatives or a designee; 2 of whom shall be the senate and houses chairs of the joint committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture; 2 of whom shall be the senate and house chairs of the joint committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure; 1 of whom shall be the commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Development or a designee; 1 of whom shall be the attorney general or a designee; 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Small Property Owner’s Association; 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors; 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and 2 persons to be appointed by the governor.

All appointments shall be made not later than 30 days after the effective date of this resolve. The chairpersons shall meet with the commission not later than 60 days after the effective date of this resolve.

SECTION 3. Not later than one year after the effective date of this resolve, the commission shall report to the general court the result of its investigation and study and its recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry its recommendations into effect by filing the same with the clerk of the house of representatives and the clerk of the senate.