During its informal session on Thursday, September 12, the Massachusetts House of Representatives agreed to an amended version of “Ollie’s Law” that had previously been adopted by the Senate on July 31, 2024. The bill now awaits Governor Maura Healy’s signature or veto.
HISTORY
As originally worded, Ollie’s Law would have undermined Massachusetts purebred dog fanciers and enthusiasts by applying commercial regulations to private homes where personally-owned dogs are maintained and bred for the purpose of improving, exhibiting, or showing the breed or for use in legal sporting activities. The American Kennel Club (AKC) and many Massachusetts advocates collaborated extensively with key legislators to ensure that Ollie’s Law eliminated anti-breeder text. A joint legislative committee first approved amended language in April 2024.
WHAT THE AMENDED BILL WILL DO
If signed by the Governor, the amended Ollie’s Law will require:
- Cities and towns to issue every type of kennel license defined in current law;
- Those maintaining a kennel to obtain a license;
- Commercial boarding and training kennels to report injuries to people or animals;
- The Department of Agricultural Resources to adopt detailed operational and safety regulations for commercial boarding and training kennels with assistance from an appointed advisory committee, charged with completing the task by December 31, 2026; and
- Municipal officials to ensure enforcement.
WHAT’S NEXT
AKC Government Relations (GR) will continue to provide updates on Ollie’s Law and other Massachusetts legislation as developments warrant. For more information on this or other legislative issues in Massachusetts, contact AKC GR at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org; or the Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners at info@massfeddogs.org.