SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1154 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No.
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Patrick M. O'Connor
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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 banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet shops.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: |
|
Patrick M. O'Connor | First Plymouth and Norfolk |
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Michael O. Moore | Second Worcester | 2/4/2025 |
Michael D. Brady | Second Plymouth and Norfolk | 2/7/2025 |
James K. Hawkins | 2nd Bristol | 2/7/2025 |
Manny Cruz | 7th Essex | 2/12/2025 |
John C. Velis | Hampden and Hampshire | 2/12/2025 |
Vanna Howard | 17th Middlesex | 2/14/2025 |
Bruce E. Tarr | First Essex and Middlesex | 2/26/2025 |
Adam J. Scanlon | 14th Bristol | 3/5/2025 |
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1154 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No.
[Pin Slip] |
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 550 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet shops.
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 39A of chapter 129 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting, in line 1, before the word “Every”, the following letter:- (a)
SECTION 2. Section 39A of chapter 129 of the General Laws is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 13, the word “section”, and inserting in place thereof the following word:- subsection
SECTION 3. Section 39A of chapter 129 of the General Laws is hereby further amended by inserting after subsection (a) the following 3 subsections:-
(b) No person engaged in the business of operating a pet shop for which a license must be obtained pursuant to subsection (a); and are regulated under 330 CMR 12.00 shall sell or offer for sale a dog, cat, or rabbit.
(c) Subsection (b) shall not be construed to prohibit a pet shop from offering space to an animal rescue or shelter organization to showcase dogs, cats, or rabbits for adoption so long as the pet shop does not have an ownership interest in the animals offered for adoption.
(d) Nothing in subsections (b) or (c) shall affect the authority of any town, city, or other locality to regulate or prohibit the sale of dogs, cats, or rabbits.
SECTION 4. This act shall go into effect 90 days after its passage