HD 1512 Massachusetts House · 193rd Legislature (2023-2024)

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
Photo of Kim Ferguson
Kim Ferguson
RRepublican
MA
1st Worcester
Co
Photo of Alan Silvia
Alan Silvia
DDemocratic
MA
7th Bristol
Co
Photo of Alyson Sullivan-Almeida
Alyson Sullivan-Almeida
RRepublican
MA
7th Plymouth
Co
Photo of Angelo D'Emilia
Angelo D'Emilia
RRepublican
MA
8th Plymouth
Co
Photo of Anne M. Gobi
Anne M. Gobi
DDemocratic
MA
Worcester and Hampshire
Co
Photo of Bill Galvin
Bill Galvin
DDemocratic
MA
6th Norfolk
Co
Photo of Brad Jones
Brad Jones
RRepublican
MA
20th Middlesex
Co
Photo of Brian Ashe
Brian Ashe
DDemocratic
MA
2nd Hampden
Co
Photo of Brian Murray
Brian Murray
DDemocratic
MA
10th Worcester
Co
Photo of Carmine Gentile
Carmine Gentile
DDemocratic
MA
13th Middlesex
Co
Photo of Chris Flanagan
Chris Flanagan
DDemocratic
MA
1st Barnstable