HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3372        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 878

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Alice Hanlon Peisch

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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 regulating the sale and purchase of horses.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3372        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 878

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 987 OF 2021-2022.]

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 regulating the sale and purchase of horses.

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

Section 45 of chapter 129 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting the following new section at the end thereof :-

Section 45A. The Department of Agricultural Resources in conjunction with the Attorney General shall examine the conditions surrounding the sale and purchase of horses and shall adopt regulations to prevent unfair or deceptive trade practices. The department shall promulgate regulations ensuring the consumer is protected in the purchase of a horse. Said regulations shall include, at least; the disclosure of the legal owner and buyer of the horse and any dual agency to the buyer and seller; the disclosure of relevant medical conditions, defects, and surgeries; the conduct or alterations that could affect the performance of a horse; and the need for a written bill of sale.