The current session started on January 4, 2023 and formal sessions end on July 31, 2024. January 20 was the deadline for bills to be filed. Bills can also be filed during the session as “late files.”

See what bills we're focused on this session. Look up your state legislators HERE and contact them to make your voice heard on issues that are important to you! If you have questions about contacting your representative or senator, don't hesitate to reach out to the MVMA office for talking points or tips.

The MVMA's Government Relations and Advocacy Committee (GRAC) and Animal Welfare Committee are busy reviewing current bills and will make recommendations to the Executive Board for formal positions soon.

2021-2022 Position Review

Bills We Support:

H.406 and S.219: An Act Regulating the Practice and Licensure of Veterinary Technicians

These bills would create a subsidiary board of veterinary technology under the Board of Registration in Veterinary Medicine to:

1. Determine and establish the criteria and regulations by which veterinary technicians would be licensed and registered; and

2. Establish duties which supervising veterinarians could assign to licensed veterinary technicians and to non-licensed veterinary assistants consistent with good veterinary medical practice.

Current Status: Reported favorably to Senate Ways and Means 

S.2994: An Act protecting the health and safety of puppies and kittens in cities and towns

Massachusetts currently has no state oversight of doggie daycare or boarding kennels. This legislation would require reasonable rules and regulations of these facilities.

Current Status: Passed the Senate; Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means

H.1840 and S.1097: An Act Enhancing the Issuance of Citations for Cruel Conditions for Animals

These bills would prohibit owning or keeping a domestic animal, including livestock, in "cruel conditions." It would also include penalty language for those who violate the law.
Current Status: Reported favorably to Senate Ways and Means 

S.1322 and H.2148: An Act Protecting the Health and Safety of Puppies and Kittens in Cities and Towns
These bills would prohibit the sale of puppies and kittens under 8 weeks old; require the promulgation of rules and regulations for boarding facilities and breeders; prohibit the roadside sale of animals; update several laws relating to the regulations of kennels; and clarify that the law doesn't consider dogs and cats livestock.
Current Status: Reported favorably to Senate Ways and Means 

HD.4931: An Act Relative to Pesticides

This bill addresses effects of Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs) on wildlife and the environment and would require pesticide companies to provide customers with written information on these effects.
Current Status: Reported favorably to House Ways and Means 

H.2547 and S.1606: An Act Allowing Humane Transportation of K9 Partners AKA Nero's Law

These bills would authorize EMS personnel to provide emergency treatment to a police dog injured in the line of duty, and transport them to a veterinary clinic or hospital equipped to provide emergency treatment.
Current Status: Signed into Law by Governor Baker 

HD.334: An Act Relative to the Registration of Veterinarians

This bill would require veterinarians to renew their license biannually.
Current Status: Reported favorably to House Ways and Means 

S.1246: An Act Relative to Non-Compete Agreements for Veterinarians
This bill would amend an existing law to include language rendering non-competes for veterinarians void and unenforceable in MA.
Committee: Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development
Current Status: Sent to Study

Bills We Oppose:

S.1131: An Act Promoting Pet Safety AKA Crawford's Law

This bill would increase damages and liability in cases involving willful, wanton, reckless, or negligent acts that cause the death of an animal companion
Current Status: Sent to Study

HD.1670: An Act Changing the Legal Status of "Pets" from Personal Property to "Companion Animals"

This bill would change the legal status of pets from personal property to companion animals and set penalties for abuse of the companion animal.
Current Status: Sent to Study

H.444: An Act Relative to Wildlife Rehabilitators

This bill would define a "Wildlife Rehabilitator" and would allow them - without direct or indirect supervision of a licensed veterinarian - to diagnose, make a prognosis, treat, manipulate, or administer drugs as long as a licensed vet has issued a predetermined protocol within standard of care.
Current Status: Reported favorably to House Ways and Means

H.320 and H.321: Acts Relative to Equine Dentistry

H.320 would define "Equine Dental Practitioner" as a person who is a veterinarian or who is certified by the international association of equine dentistry. H.321 would allow the floating of teeth or removal of deciduous caps or erupted, non-displaced wolf teeth in horses by a licensed equine dental practitioner. It stipulates that controlled substances are only allowed to be used by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.
Current Status: Sent to Study