MA H4371

Establishes a 15-member special legislative commission to study service animal use and misrepresentation in Massachusetts, co-chaired by the House and Senate chairs of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Commission members include representatives from the Attorney General's office, Massachusetts Office on Disability, Commission Against Discrimination, municipal police training committee, mental health legal advisors committee, Massachusetts Restaurant Association, and retail industry advocates

Study scope includes reviewing federal, state, and local service animal laws; examining benefits to individuals with disabilities; investigating fraud prevalence and impact; and researching deterrent practices in other jurisdictions

Commission will recommend potential changes to service animal definitions, whether to introduce civil penalties for service animal fraud, and evaluate feasibility of certification, registration, or licensing systems

Final report due to the legislature by April 1, 2026