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H 4371

An Act relative to a commission to study the intentional misrepresentation of a service animal

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kim Ferguson and 8 co-sponsors

Creates a 15-member commission to study service animal use and fraud in MA and recommend potential changes, including definitions and licensing/certification feasibility.

Discharged to the committee on House Rules
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Bill Summary · H 4371

Summary: H.4371 — An Act relative to a commission to study the intentional misrepresentation of a service animal

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes a special legislative commission to study the use of service animals in Massachusetts and address issues related to misrepresentation and fraud.
  • The commission’s findings are intended to inform potential legislative changes, including definitions, prohibitions, penalties, and the feasibility of certification, registration, or licensing of service animals.

Key provisions

  • Formation and structure
    • Creates a special legislative commission under section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws.
    • Commission size: 15 members.
    • Co-chairs: the chairs of the joint Committee on the Judiciary (from both the House and Senate) or their designees.
    • Membership includes:
    • Appointees by the Speaker of the House and the Senate President.
    • Appointees by the House and Senate leadership (including minority leaders).
    • The Attorney General or designee.
    • The Director of the Massachusetts Office on Disability or designee.
    • The chair of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination or designee.
    • The chair of the Municipal Police Training Committee or designee.
    • The Executive Director of the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee or designee.
    • The President of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association or designee.
    • Three gubernatorial appointees (one a representative of a professional organization specializing in service animal advocacy/education/training; one a representative of a professional organization covering other animals (emotional support, companion, etc.); and one a member from a retail‑advocacy association).
  • Study scope and activities (non-exhaustive list)
    • Review current federal, state, and local laws and procedures governing service animals.
    • Examine the use and benefits of service animals for individuals with disabilities in Massachusetts.
    • Investigate presence, prevalence, and impact of fraud, misrepresentation, and misuse of service animals.
    • Research laws and practices in other jurisdictions to deter misuse.
    • Identify training and educational opportunities to increase understanding of service animal laws among public officials, law enforcement, business owners, and the general public.
  • Deliverables and recommendations
    • The commission shall report findings and may propose changes to laws governing service animals, including:
    • The definition of “service animal.”
    • Whether to prohibit and civilly penalize service animal fraud.
    • The feasibility of certifying, registering, or licensing service animals in Massachusetts.

Who is affected

  • Individuals who use service animals and themselves may be affected by potential changes in definitions, penalties, or certification/licensing regimes.
  • Public officials, law enforcement, business owners, retailers, and educators may receive guidance and training opportunities arising from the commission’s review.
  • Organizations representing service animals, other animals (including emotional support and companion animals), retailers, and related professional associations are represented on the commission and may influence or be affected by any recommended changes.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Legislative status and actions
    • Introduced and referred to the Judiciary (August 11, 2025).
    • Reported favorably by the Judiciary and referred to the joint committee on Rules (August 11, 2025).
    • Discharged to the Committee on House Rules (August 28, 2025).
    • A new draft version titled H.1686 accompanied the bill at introduction.
  • Report deadline
    • The commission must file its report not later than April 1, 2026, with the clerks of the House and Senate, who will forward copies to the chairs of Ways and Means and the Judiciary.
  • Authority and basis
    • The commission operates under the authority of section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws.

Bottom line

H.4371 would create a temporary, 15-member legislative commission to comprehensively study service animal use and misrepresentation in Massachusetts, assess current laws and practices, compare with other jurisdictions, and recommend potential statutory changes, including possible new definitions and the feasibility of licensing or certification for service animals. The commission’s findings are due by April 1, 2026. The bill is currently in the House Rules process following a favorable Judiciary recommendation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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