S 1118 Massachusetts Senate · 193rd Legislature (2023-2024)

An Act further clarifying dog bite liability

This bill amends Massachusetts law to clarify who is responsible for damages caused by dogs. It states that a dog's owner or keeper must pay for injuries or property damage unless the victim was trespassing, abusing the dog, or was grossly negligent. The law also holds parents or guardians liable if the dog owner is a minor. This change aims to make the rules for dog bite compensation clearer and more consistent.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Feb 2023
House Passage
Feb 2023
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023 Last action Feb 8, 2024
Floor votes

How they voted

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

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 16, 2023
Lower · Passed
House concurred
lower
Feb 16, 2023
Committee
Referred to the committee on The Judiciary
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors