S 1309 Massachusetts Senate · 193rd Legislature (2023-2024)

An Act to increase kennel safety aka Ollie’s Law

This bill, known as Ollie's Law, aims to improve safety standards for dog kennels in Massachusetts by expanding the definition of regulated facilities and mandating new licensing and care requirements. It reclassifies personal kennels to include those with five or more dogs and introduces a new category for "personal breeder kennels," which are defined as operations with three or more intact female dogs kept for breeding and selling puppies. Under the law, all kennels must obtain a license, and the state department is required to create detailed rules covering staff-to-animal ratios, housing conditions, nutrition, and veterinary care. Additionally, the bill mandates that kennels report any injuries to animals or people and requires the department to make investigative reports publicly available online.
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Feb 2023
Senate Passage
Apr 2024
House Passage
Feb 2023
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023 Last action Apr 18, 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
6
Key actions
2
Committee
1
Apr 16, 2024
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 16, 2023
Lower · Passed
House concurred
lower
Feb 16, 2023
Committee
Referred to the committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
upper
1 primary · 21 co-sponsors

Sponsors