Senator Friedman has co-sponsored the following bills relative to animal welfare in the 2019-2020 legislative session:
S496 An Act relative to ivory and rhinoceros horn trafficking
- Summary: This bill would prohibit trade in ivory and rhino horn in the Commonwealth, with some exceptions, in order to help discourage illegal poaching that is decimating elephant and rhino populations in Africa.
S534 An Act protecting research animals
- Summary: This bill would require that any research institution or product testing facility that intends to euthanize or destroy a dog or cat for any purpose other than scientific, medical or educational research shall, before euthanizing the dog or cat, offer the dog or cat to an animal shelter or rescue organization for adoption.
- Summary: This legislation would prohibit insurance companies offering homeowners insurance coverage from refusing to issue or renew, cancel or charge or impose an increased premium or rate on an insurance policy or contract insuring against liability for personal injury or destruction of real property based on a specific breed of dog housed on the policyholder’s property. The legislation would also allow insurance companies offering homeowners insurance coverage to increase premiums or rates on, and refuse to issue or renew and cancel insurance policies, if a dog housed on a policyholder’s property has been designated a “dangerous dog”.