On Friday, September 20, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy signed “Ollie’s Law” into law as Chapter 213 of the Acts of 2024. The new law will take effect in 90 days. The Department of Agricultural Resources (the department), with advice from the committee as established in subsection (b) of Section 7 of the Act, is required to promulgate regulations for licensed commercial boarding and training kennels within 18 months of the effective date. Before July 1, 2025, the department is also required to file a report with the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government on the number of kennel licenses issued, the type of kennel licenses issued, municipalities not in compliance with the license requirements, and any related legislative recommendations. Ollie’s Law history and more details can be viewed here.
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.