H 4371
An Act relative to a commission to study the intentional misrepresentation of a service animal
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- Passed House
- Passed Senate
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Bill overview
This bill establishes a commission to study the issue of intentionally misrepresenting service animals in Massachusetts. The commission will review current laws, investigate fraud and misuse, and examine practices in other jurisdictions. It will also consider recommendations for changes to laws, including definitions and potential penalties for fraud, and explore options like certification or licensing for service animals.
Key provisions
- Creates a commission to study the intentional misrepresentation of service animals.
- The commission will review existing laws and practices related to service animals.
- The commission will investigate fraud and misuse of service animals.
- The commission will research laws in other jurisdictions.
- The commission will recommend changes to Massachusetts laws regarding service animals.
- The commission will explore the feasibility of certifying or licensing service animals.
- The commission’s membership includes representatives from various organizations and agencies.
- The commission is required to submit a report by April 1, 2026.
Who is affected
- Individuals with disabilities who rely on service animals
- Retailers
- Law enforcement
- Public officials
- The general public
Notable changes
- The bill proposes to examine the possibility of introducing legislation to prohibit and civilly penalize service animal fraud.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Cosponsors
Alyson M. Sullivan-Almeida
Jr. Bradley H. Jones
Kimberly N. Ferguson
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Bill H.4371 194th (Current)
An Act relative to a commission to study the intentional misrepresentation of a service animal
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Sponsor: Joint Committee on the Judiciary Status: Referred to House Committee on Rules
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Bill History Cosponsors Committee Summary
Bill History
Displaying 4 actions for Bill H.4371
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 8/11/2025 | House | Reported from the committee on The Judiciary |
| 8/11/2025 | House | New draft of H1686 |
| 8/11/2025 | House | Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently |
| 8/28/2025 | House | Discharged to the committee on House Rules |
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