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Bill Summary
Location Bill  Title  Date  Category
Massachusetts  MA S 1870  State Bill concerning Treatment of Elephants  1/19/2009  Dead
Summary

SUMMARY:

Relates to the treatment of elephants.

STATUS:
01/19/2009 INTRODUCED.
01/19/2009 Filed as Senate Docket 1292.
01/19/2009 To JOINT Committee on TOURISM, ARTS AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT.

Bill Text
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1292        FILED ON: 1/13/2009

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1870

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

PRESENTED BY:

Mr. Hedlund

_______________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
                Court assembled:

                The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the passage of the accompanying bill:

An Act relating to the treatment of elephants.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Mr. Hedlund

Plymouth and Norfolk

Bruce E. Tarr

First Essex and Middlesex

Scott P. Brown

Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex

Lida E. Harkins

13th Norfolk

John P. Fresolo

16th Worcester

Anne M. Gobi

5th Worcester

Christine E. Canavan

10th Plymouth

Lori Ehrlich

8th Essex

Susan C. Tucker

Second Essex and Middlesex

Mark C. Montigny

Second Bristol and Plymouth

Bruce J. Ayers

1st Norfolk

Bill Bowles

2nd Bristol

Michael Brady

9th Plymouth


 

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. S02002 OF 2007-2008.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the Year Two Thousand and Nine

_______________




An Act relating to the treatment of elephants.



                Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Chapter 272 of the General Laws, is hereby amended by inserting after section 77B the following section: -

Section 77C. (a) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

“Circus" , a class C licensee under the Animal Welfare Act, 7 U. S. C. section 2131 et seq. , and its subsequent amendments, regulations and standards adopted pursuant to the Act, that offers a performance by a live animal, clown or acrobat.

"Person" , an individual, partnership, corporation, organization, trade or professional association, firm, limited liability company, joint venture, association, trust, estate, or any other legal entity, and any agent, or representative thereof.

"Traveling show", circus, public show, trade show, photographic opportunity, carnival, city or county fair, agricultural fair, ride, parade, race, performance or a similar undertaking in which elephants do not permanently reside or that moves the elephants from location to location, but not including the transportation of elephants for the purpose of obtaining required medical services for an elephant or for the exchange of an elephant between sanctuaries.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person who houses, possesses, is in contact with, or travels with any elephant utilized in a circus or traveling show within Massachusetts to engage in any of the following:

(1)  Use of any implement on an elephant that may reasonably result in harm to the elephant including, but not limited to, the damage, scarring or breakage of an elephant's skin. Any such implement or device that is used, purchased, contrived for or constructed for the purpose of poking, striking, hitting, stabbing, piercing, pinching or other physical contact of an elephant shall be construed as an implement or device which may reasonably result in harm, damage, scarring or breakage of skin to an elephant. For purposes of this subsection such implement or device includes, but is not limited to, a bullhook, ankus or other similar device.

(2)  Possession of any implement or device that may reasonably result in harm, damage, scarring or breakage of skin to an elephant. Any such implement or device that is used, purchased, contrived for or constructed for the purpose of poking, striking, hitting, stabbing, piercing, pinching or other physical contact of an elephant shall be construed as an implement or device which may reasonably result in harm, damage, scarring or breakage of skin to an elephant. For purposes of this subsection such implement or device includes, but is not limited to, a bullhook, ankus, or other similar device.

(3)  Use of a chain or similar device to restrain an elephant, except if utilized for the shortest amount of time necessary to provide actual medical treatment.

(c) Whoever violates this section shall be fined not more than $5000 per violation or imprisoned in the house of correction for not more than 1 year, or by both such fine and imprisonment.  



Details
Category   Date   Detail  
  Information 12/31/2010  Failed -- session adjourned 
  Status 3/4/2010  Committee action 
  Information 11/23/2009  Patriot Ledger article, with comments 
  Information 11/15/2009  Text of bill 
  Status 1/19/2009  To JOINT Committee on TOURISM, ARTS AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT. 
  Status 1/19/2009  Filed as Senate Docket 1292. 
  Status 1/19/2009  INTRODUCED. 
  Action-Expired 11/16/2009  Committee hearing scheduled 
 


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