Senator Mark C. Montigny

Senator Montigny is sponsoring a number of animal protection bills this session.

An Act enhancing the issuance of citations for cruel conditions for animals expands upon current law, found in Ch. 140 sec. 174E, that allows citations to be issued when dogs are kept in cruel conditions. This legislation extends this protection to all domestic animals and also updates language to ensure that dogs left outside and unattended are protected. Broadening the current statute’s scope in this way allows an effective response to problematic situations involving animals and prevents them from escalating.

An Act concerning the use of animals in product testing requires the use of available test methods that avoid or reduce animal testing of products and ingredients. Alternatives provide information of equivalent or superior quality and relevance to humans in comparison to animal tests. The bill applies to products such as cosmetics, household cleaners, and industrial chemicals, like those in paint; it does not apply to testing done for medical research, including testing of drugs or medical devices.

An Act to protect consumers from contributing to inhumane animal testing for cosmetics would prohibit the sale of most cosmetics newly tested on animals. Twelve other states and more than 40 countries worldwide have already passed similar bans. It’s estimated that half a million animals, including rabbits, guinea pigs, and mice, suffer in cosmetics testing every year.