Amendment #480 to S3064

Adopt, Don't Shop

Mr. Scanlon of North Attleborough moves to amend the bill by inserting after section 64 the following section:

 “SECTION 64A. Chapter 129 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out section 39A and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

 Section 39A. (a) Every person engaged in the business of operating a pet shop, 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 3B of chapter 7 for the filing thereof, and such license shall expire on December 31st following the date of issuance, unless sooner revoked. The director, subject to the approval of the governor, may make rules and regulations governing the issuance and revocation of such licenses and the conduct of the businesses so licensed and relative to the maintenance of premises, buildings and conveyances, the health of the birds, mammals or reptiles and the method and time of inspection and checking of said animals.

 This subsection shall not apply to a publicly or privately owned zoological park, a publicly owned animal pound, an institution, as defined in section 149A, to persons selling, exchanging or otherwise transferring the offspring of their personally owned animals, or to horse or cattle auctions, or to a professional service dog organization accredited by Assistance Dogs International and headquartered in the commonwealth.

 (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 C.M.R. 12.00 shall sell or offer for sale a dog, cat, rabbit or guinea pig.

 (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, rabbits or guinea pigs 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, rabbits or guinea pigs.

and moves to further amend the bill by adding the following section:

 “SECTION XXXX. Sections 64A shall take effect 90 days after the effective date of this act.”.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #480 to S3064

Adopt, Don't Shop