HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3356        FILED ON: 2/19/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 305

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Brian M. Ashe

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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 to regulate pet daycare facilities in cities and towns, aka Ollie's Law.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3356        FILED ON: 2/19/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 305

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

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An Act to regulate pet daycare facilities in cities and towns, aka Ollie's Law.

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. This bill may be known as An Act to regulate pet daycare facilities in cities and towns aka Ollie’s Law.

SECTION 2. Chapter 129 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 39G a new section:-

39H. Every person engaged in the business of operating a commercial boarding or training kennel, as defined in section 136A of chapter 140, shall obtain a license thereof from the director. This license shall be in addition to a kennel license requirement under section 137A of chapter 140.

The director, subject to the approval of the governor, shall make rules and regulations governing the issuance and revocation of such licenses and the conduct of the kennels so licensed and relative to: staff to dog ratios, group sizes and supervision, minimum housing and care requirements, indoor and outdoor physical facility requirements, dog handling, insurance, fire and emergency plans, and penalties for violation thereof.

The director shall approve required training programs regarding animal behavior, dog body language, and other subjects as determined by the director for staff employed at any commercial boarding or training kennel.

The director shall require that licensed commercial boarding or training kennels report injuries to dogs or people. The department shall develop a form for such reporting and a time frame for submitting a report after the injury. The form shall be available on the department’s website to the public to report injuries. The department shall make investigative reports available to the public on their website.

The director may require other types of kennels, as defined in section 136A of chapter 140, to be obtain a license from the director, subject to the approval of the governor, may make rules and regulations for kennels relating to animal care and health.

SECTION 3. Section 137A of chapter 140 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting at the end of subsection (b), the following:-

A commercial boarding or training kennel under section 39H of chapter 129 shall be required to obtain a kennel license under this section.

SECTION 4. There shall be a committee to advise the commissioner of agricultural resources on the promulgation of regulations as required by Section 39H of Chapter 129, and to annually review the regulations once promulgated. The committee should advise on issues including, but is not limited to, appropriate training for kennel staff. Such committee shall be appointed by the commissioner and consist of: 1 representative from the department of agricultural resources; 1 owner of a boarding kennel or doggie daycare with a kennel license with a capacity of not more than 50 dogs; 1 owner of a boarding kennel or doggie daycare with a kennel license with a capacity of 50 or more dogs in a kennel not located in a home; 1 animal control officer or representative of an association organized in the commonwealth for animal control officers; 1 veterinarian or member of a veterinary medical association organized in the commonwealth; 1 member of the general public with an interest in the well-being of domestic animals; 1 animal behaviorist certified by International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants or a program as approved by the department; 1 person with a minimum of 5 years’ experience training people on dog behavior; 1 dog breeder who breeds fewer than 10 dogs per year; 1 dog breeder who breeds more than 10 dogs per year; 1 representative from an animal protection organization; and other individuals as determined by the department.

The commissioner shall consider diversity, equity and inclusion aspects when appointed said committee. Members of the committee shall be residents of the commonwealth or do business in the commonwealth. The committee shall elect a chair at the initial meeting and every two years thereafter.

The commissioner shall appoint said committee within 90 days of the passage of this law.