Rep. Howitt supports animal welfare legislation promoting pet safety and adoption

Boston – State Representative Steven S. Howitt (R-Seekonk) recently supported legislation to promote the adoption of research animals, limit animal testing, and establish a uniform pet ownership program in state-aided public housing.

House Bill 5881, An Act promoting pet equity, treatment and safety, also known as the PETS Act, was engrossed by the House of Representatives on a vote of 151-1 on July 15. The bill is a redrafted version of Senate Bill 3028, which was passed by the Senate on a unanimous 38-0 vote on March 19.

Representative Howitt said the House bill amends a 2022 state law that makes dogs and cats used in research available for adoption by imposing new record-keeping requirements and calling for collaborative agreements with at least one animal rescue organization to help facilitate an animal’s adoption. It also prohibits the use of animals for testing cosmetics or household products if non-animal testing alternatives exist.

Under the House proposal, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) is required to establish and maintain a pet ownership program for older adults living in public housing who can reasonably care for a pet. Representative Howitt noted that while public housing facilities will not be able to impose an outright ban on having pets, they will be allowed to set reasonable requirements for pet owners, including limiting the number of pets they have, requiring that pets be registered with the facility, imposing a pet deposit fee, and stipulating that pets be spayed or neutered.

House Bill 5881 also seeks to establish uniform pet ownership standards in state-aided public housing, with a new advisory committee charged with making recommendations to the EOHLC. According to Representative Howitt, these standards will prohibit discrimination based on a pet’s breed, size or appearance but will ensure that any local regulations in place will not be undermined.

Representative Howitt said the House PETS Act strengthens the state’s existing animal protection laws by allowing local district courts to review complaints of animal cruelty and neglect and to order an appropriate remedy, including seizing the animal from its owner. It also holds rideshare drivers accountable for not accommodating passengers who rely on a service animal by establishing fines for violations, and requires transportation network companies to “provide a feature in its applications to inform a driver that a rider will be accompanied by a service animal.”

The House PETS Act also takes several steps to promote greater transparency in pet health insurance. Under this proposal, insurers will be required to clearly disclose the terms of the policy, including:

• any exclusions of coverage for preexisting conditions, hereditary disorders, congenital anomalies, or chronic conditions;
• coverage limits such as copayments, deductibles, lifetime limits, and waiting periods; and
• whether the underwriting company differs from the brand name of the policy.

In addition, House Bill 5881 provides for the enhanced oversight of kennels and includes provisions for revoking or suspending a kennel license if the facility is not maintained in a sanitary and humane manner.
The House and Senate are expected to appoint a six-member conference committee that will attempt to reconcile the differences between the two bills.