An Act relative to the misrepresentation of a service animal
This bill amends Massachusetts law to clarify definitions regarding service animals and establish a formal process for verifying their legitimate status. It creates a new section in the state's general laws to define terms like "service dog" and "service-dog-in-training" based on federal standards, while explicitly protecting business owners from misrepresentation. A key provision requires the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to develop and distribute a verification decal for businesses to display in their windows or doors. This decal will be created in collaboration with national service dog organizations, restaurant owner associations, and business owner associations to help identify legitimate service animals.
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1 primary · 41 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Kim Ferguson
RRepublican
Co
Alan Silvia
DDemocratic
Co
Alyson Sullivan-Almeida
RRepublican
Co
Angelo D'Emilia
RRepublican
Co
Anne M. Gobi
DDemocratic
Co
Bill Galvin
DDemocratic
Co
Brad Jones
RRepublican
Co
Brian Ashe
DDemocratic
Co
Brian Murray
DDemocratic
Co
Carmine Gentile
DDemocratic
Co
Chris Flanagan
DDemocratic
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