Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H1817: An Act standardizing consideration of pets in divorce and separation
Status: Failed, March 26, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:
SECTION 1. Section 34 of Chapter 208 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “insurance”, in the second sentence, the following:- , provided however that, as established in section 34E, when asked to assign ownership, care and custody of a pet, the court shall consider the best interests of the animal, including the animal’s health, safety, comfort and well-being and whether any party or family member residing with any party has a history of abuse, cruelty or neglect to animals or humans SECTION 2. Chapter 208 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 34D the following new section:- Section 34E. Custody of companion animals (a) Upon filing a complaint for divorce or separate support, any party may request that the court award care and custody of a pet; (b) In awarding sole or shared custody of a pet, the court shall consider the best interest of the animal, taking into account their health, safety, comfort, and well-being and any relevant facts, including, but not limited to: (i) Whether the parties are seeking sole or shared custody of the animal; (ii) Each party’s history with the animal, including in acquiring the animal and subsequent amount of time spent, …
Sponsors
- Meghan Kilcoyne (D, 12th Worcester) · primary sponsor
- Erika Uyterhoeven (D, 27th Middlesex)
- Thomas Stanley (D, 9th Middlesex)
- Michael Kushmerek (D, 3rd Worcester)
- Leigh Davis (D)
- David LeBoeuf (D)
- Jessica Giannino (D, 16th Suffolk)
- William MacGregor (D, 10th Suffolk)
- Rodney Elliott (D)
- Bridget Plouffe (D)
- James Arena-DeRosa (D)
- Jack Lewis (D, 7th Middlesex)
Latest actions
- : Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27)
- : Hearing scheduled for 04/22/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
- : Hearing scheduled for 04/22/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
- : Senate concurred
- : Referred to the committee on The Judiciary
- : Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order
Common questions
- What is H1817?
- H1817 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act standardizing consideration of pets in divorce and separation.
- What is the status of H1817?
- Failed as of March 26, 2026. Latest action: Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27) (March 26, 2026).
- Who sponsored H1817?
- Meghan Kilcoyne (D, 12th Worcester), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H1817?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1817
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.