Massachusetts House Votes 151-1 to Engross Sweeping Pet Welfare Overhaul

BOSTON — July 15, 2026 — Massachusetts House votes 151-1 to engross a sweeping animal welfare omnibus banning household product animal testing. The House passed Senate Bill 3028, recast as House Document 5581, after floor debate Tuesday in which Representative Jack Patrick Lewis of Framingham, the bill's floor manager, called it "a strong combination of regulatory changes, policy expansions, and accountability." The measure bans animal testing for household products where alternatives exist, joining California, New York, New Jersey, and Virginia; creates a civil court process for animal neglect cases, addressing what Representative Edward R. Philips of Sharon called the state's status as "the only state without a misdemeanor animal cruelty offense"; establishes a 30-day cancellation window for pet insurance; and bars discrimination against pet owners in public and senior affordable housing. The House also voted 150-0 to dissolve the Waitley Water District and sent the teacher benefits bill, House 4361, to a conference committee after declining to concur with Senate amendments.