Legislative Issues

Massachusetts Legislative Updates

  • The “Beagle Bill” was signed into law by Governor Baker on August 4, 2022, requiring that research institutions in Massachusetts cannot euthanize a healthy dog or cat without first trying to find the animal an adoptive home, via a private placement or a shelter/rescue organization.
  • The current legislative session started in January 2023 and will run through December 21, 2024.

Massachusetts Legislative Resources

Massachusetts Laws and Regulations

Many of the statutes pertaining to animals can be found in Chapter 272 (for animal cruelty) and Chapter 140 (for animal control).