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Massachusetts

Consolidated Assistance Animal/Guide Dog Laws

Statute Details
Printable Version
Citation: MA ST 90 § 14A; MA ST 272 § 98A; MA ST 272 § 85B; MA ST 129 § 39C, D, F

Citation: M.G.L.A. 90 § 14A; M.G.L.A. 272 § 98A; M.G.L.A. 272 § 85B; M.G.L.A. 129 § 39C, D, F


Summary:  

The following statutes comprise the state's relevant assistance animal and guide dog laws.



Statute in Full:

Massachusetts General Laws Annotated Currentness. Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182). Title XIV. Public Ways and Works (Ch. 81-92B). Chapter 90. Motor Vehicles and Aircraft. Motor Vehicles.

§ 14A. Protection of blind pedestrians crossing or attempting to cross ways

Whenever a totally or partially blind pedestrian, guided by a guide dog or carrying in a raised or extended position a cane or walking stick which is white in color or white tipped with red, crosses or attempts to cross a way, the driver of every vehicle approaching the place where such pedestrian is crossing or attempting to cross shall bring his vehicle to a full stop, and before proceeding shall take such precautions as may be necessary to avoid injuring such pedestrian. A person who owns an animal shall restrain and control such animal on a leash when in proximity to a guide dog that is on a public or private way. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to deprive any totally or partially blind person, not carrying such a cane or walking stick or not being guided by a dog, of the rights and privileges conferred by law upon pedestrians crossing ways, nor shall the failure of such blind person to carry a cane or walking stick or to be guided by a guide dog while on the ways of this commonwealth be held to constitute or be evidence of contributory negligence. Whoever violates any provision of this section shall be punished by a fine of no less than one hundred nor more than five hundred dollars.

CREDIT(S)

Added by St.1949, c. 279. Amended by St.1961, c. 60; St.1992, c. 329, §§ 1, 2. 

 

Massachusetts General Laws Annotated Currentness. Part IV. Crimes, Punishments and Proceedings in Criminal Cases(Ch. 263-280). Title I. Crimes and Punishments (Ch. 263-274). Chapter 272. Crimes Against Chastity, Morality, Decency and Good Order.

§ 98A. Physically handicapped persons with dog guides; public places or conveyances; charges or fares; penalties

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any blind person, or deaf or hearing handicapped person, or other physically handicapped person accompanied by a dog guide, shall be entitled to any and all accommodations, advantages, facilities and privileges of all public conveyances, public amusements and places of public accommodation, within the commonwealth, to which persons not accompanied by dogs are entitled, subject only to the conditions and limitations applicable to all persons not accompanied by dogs, and no such blind person, or deaf or hearing handicapped, or other physically handicapped person shall be required to pay any charge or fare for or on account of the transportation on any public conveyance for himself and such dog so accompanying him in addition to the charge or fare lawfully chargeable for his own transportation. Whoever deprives any blind person, or deaf or hearing handicapped person, or other physically handicapped person of any right conferred by this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than three hundred dollars and shall be liable to any person aggrieved thereby for such damages as are set forth in section five of chapter one hundred and fifty-one B; provided, however, that such civic forfeiture shall be of an amount not less than one hundred dollars.

CREDIT(S)

Added by St.1938, c. 155, § 1. Amended by St.1978, c. 93; St.1978, c. 458, § 2; St.1980, c. 71; St.1981, c. 445; St.1983, c. 585, § 10; St.1983, c. 628, § 8; St.1992, c. 286, § 266; St.2000, c. 126; St.2004, c. 149, § 211, eff. July 1, 2004.

 

Massachusetts General Laws Annotated Currentness. Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182). Title XIX. Agriculture and Conservation (Ch. 128-132B). Chapter 129. Livestock Disease Control.

§ 39C. Hearing dog business; licenses


Every person engaged in the hearing dog business shall obtain a license therefor from the director, the fee for which shall be determined annually by the commissioner of administration under the provision of section three B of chapter seven for the filing thereof, and such license shall expire on December thirty-first following the date of issuance, unless sooner revoked. The director may make rules and regulations governing the issuance and revocation of such licenses and the conduct of any business so licensed, and relative to the maintenance of premises, buildings and conveyances, the health of the dogs and the method and time of inspection of such dogs and such business.

The director shall promptly furnish to the director of the office of deafness the name and address of each person licensed to conduct a hearing dog business, and the person so licensed shall promptly furnish to the director of the office of deafness with the name and address of each person to whom a hearing dog is furnished. A hearing dog shall, for identification purposes, be fitted with a collar and leash which are of a bright color.

CREDIT(S)

Added by St.1983, c. 585, § 5.
 
 

§ 39D. Hearing dog business; access to public facilities

A person engaged in the hearing dog business, while actually engaged in the training process and activities of hearing dogs, shall have the same rights, privileges and responsibilities with respect to access to public facilities as those applicable to deaf persons.

CREDIT(S)

Added by St.1983, c. 585, § 5.
 
 

§ 39F. Service dogs; trainer rights

A person accompanied by and engaged in the raising or training of a service dog, including a hearing, guide or assistance dog, shall have the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as those afforded to an individual with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. sections 12101 et seq.

CREDIT(S)

Added by St.2002, c. 438, § 16.

MA ST 272 § 85B; M.G.L.A. 272 § 85B. Assistance animals stolen or attacked; actions for economic and non-economic damages.

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