HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2483        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 314

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Danielle W. Gregoire

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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 provide consumer protections at dog day care businesses.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2483        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 314

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act to provide consumer protections at dog day care businesses.

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 129 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the definition of “Division”, the following new definition:-

“Dog day care business,” the business of furnishing supervision, control and management of dogs socializing in groups with responsibility for food, water, exercise and the provision of care to maintain the safety and well-being of dogs at the establishment that are not the property of the business owner.

SECTION 2. Section 9 of said chapter 129 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the words “guard dog business,” the following:- any dog day care business,

SECTION 3. Chapter 129 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 39G the following new section:-

39H. Every person engaged in operating a dog day care business shall obtain a license therefor from the director, the fee for which shall be determined annually by the commissioner of administration under the provision of section three B of chapter seven for the filing thereof, and such licenses shall expire on December thirty-first following the date of issuance, unless sooner revoked. The director shall make rules and regulations governing the method and time of inspections of said businesses, issuance, suspension and revocation of such licenses, penalties for violations of this section and the conduct of the businesses so licensed relative to sanitation requirements, operational safety standards, and risk management procedures. Rules and regulations shall include, but not be limited to, minimum commercial general liability insurance requirements; fire and emergency procedures; approved education, testing, accreditation or certification for dog day care animal care providers; and animal health and behavior recordkeeping, including an obligation to report to the director serious injuries to animals or people.

SECTION 4. The director shall obtain input from current Massachusetts dog day care business owners, employees, animal owners, licensed veterinarians and experts on industry best practices prior to drafting regulations for promulgation in compliance with chapter 30A and shall accept applications for dog day care business licensure under section 39H of chapter 129 of the General Laws on or before December 1, 2024.