MA H1764

Creates a Massachusetts animal abuse registry maintained by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services, containing offenders' names, addresses, photos, and crime descriptions

Requires persons 18+ convicted of animal cruelty crimes (Chapter 272, Sections 77-81) to register within 10 days of judgment or release from incarceration, with registration lasting 5 years

Mandates registrants pay a $50 annual fee and update address information annually or upon any change

Requires all animal shelters, pet stores, and breeders to check the registry before selling or adopting out animals; prohibits providing animals to registered offenders

Failure to register carries penalties of 6 months to 5 years imprisonment and/or $1,000 fine for first offense; shelters/stores violating check requirements face minimum $1,000 fine and up to 1 year imprisonment