The current session started on January 6, 2025 and formal sessions end on July 31, 2026.
Our committees are still discussing and reviewing legislation and we will continue to update our legislative priorities as those positions are formed.
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.
2025-2026 Position Review
Bills We Support:
S.277 / H.407: An Act regulating the practice and licensure of veterinary technicians
This legislation sets in motion licensure and title protection for veterinary technicians in Massachusetts.
Outcome: This bill is still alive in the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
H.337: An Act relative to the registration of veterinarians
This legislation changes veterinary licensure to renew every 2 years instead of every year.
Outcome: This bill is still alive in the House Ways and Means Committee.
H.2738: An Act relative to providing advanced life support to police dogs injured in the line of duty
This legislation expands on Nero's Law and allows for (but does not require) advanced life support of police K9s injured in the line of duty.
Outcome: This bill was sent to study.
S.1366: An Act relative to non-compete agreements for veterinarians
This legislation would prevent the creation of new non-compete agreements for veterinarians.
Outcome: This bill is still alive in the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
S. 2721/H. 5217: An Act restricting the use of rodenticides in the environment
These bills restrict the use of Anticoagulant Rodenticides (ARs).
Outcome: This bill is still alive in the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
H.2342: An Act Relative to Dangerous dogs
This legislation amends the state's current dangerous dog law.
Outcome: This bill is still alive in the House Ways and Means Committee.
Bills We Oppose:
H.355/S.3082: An Act Relative to Animal Telehealth
This legislation would allow for the electronic establishment of a Veterinary-Client-Patient-Relationship (VCPR).
Outcome: This House version of this bill was sent to study.
The Senate version was a late file and is still being discussed in the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
View MVMA's fact sheet on this legislation at https://tinyurl.com/TeleVCPRfacts
View an FAQ page from AVMA at https://tinyurl.com/AVMAtelemedFAQ
Amendment and Exemption Requests:
H2405 / S1525: An Act to ensure safe medication administration
This legislation would mandate that only a dentist, nurse, physician, podiatrist, perfusionist, optometrist, or veterinarian may administer any controlled substance in schedule II, III, IV, V, or VI.
Along with the MVTA and with the support of the Massachusetts Nurses Association, we have requested an amendment that would allow veterinary technicians to be included.
Outcome: These bills have been sent to study.
H.5050:
Along with MSPCA, we are requesting that veterinary practices be added to the list of locations – including hospitals, courthouses, schools, and places of worship – at which Massachusetts residents are protected against ICE.
S.3068 / H. 2472: An Act protecting patient safety regarding non-FDA approved drugs
This legislation prohibits retail pharmacies from reselling compounded medications; Requires compounded medications prepared by a retail pharmacy to be dispensed only to the patient for whom the medication was originally compounded, pursuant to a valid prescription; and, creates labeling requirements.
With input from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine pharmacy, we have requested an exemption for veterinary practice.
Outcome: The House version of this bill was sent to study. The Senate version was amended with our requested veterinary exemption and is still alive in the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
H.2223: An Act relative to benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics
This legislation would make changes to prescribing and dispensing of benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepines.
Outcome: This bill was sent to study.
MVMA was in close contact with the Deputy Commissioner of DPH overseeing a special commission formed to examine this issue. Our goal was to educate them on potential implications on veterinary practice. With input from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine pharmacy and several veterinarians, the commission is now considering how to move forward with recommendations that won’t affect veterinary practitioners.
