H 758 Massachusetts House · 193rd Legislature (2023-2024)

An Act to promote economic opportunities for cottage food entrepreneurs

This bill promotes economic opportunities for cottage food entrepreneurs by amending state laws to exempt home-based food producers from most licensing, inspection, and labeling requirements. It defines cottage food operations as those producing non-perishable items like baked goods and jams in a home kitchen for direct sale to consumers at markets or online. While the bill removes barriers to entry, it maintains consumer protections by requiring clear labels that disclose the product's origin and potential allergens, and it establishes a voluntary registry where operators can pay a fee to receive a personal identification number for their labels.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Apr 2023
Senate Passage
Apr 2024
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023 Last action May 2, 2024
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
8
Key actions
3
Committee
2
Apr 11, 2024
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Apr 18, 2023
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Apr 6, 2023
Committee
Discharged to the committee on Agriculture
lower
Feb 16, 2023
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 16, 2023
Committee
Referred to the committee on Environment and Natural Resources
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors