2016 Nov 8 :: State of Massachusetts :: Question 3 :: Initiative PetitionDo you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives on or before May 3, 2016? See summary »

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Choices
 
Yes
 
 
No
 
 
Summary

This proposed law would prohibit any farm owner or operator from knowingly confining any breeding pig, calf raised for veal, or egg-laying hen in a way that prevents the animal from lying down, standing up, fully extending its limbs, or turning around freely. The proposed law would also prohibit any business owner or operator in Massachusetts from selling whole eggs intended for human consumption or any uncooked cut of veal or pork if the business owner or operator knows or should know that the hen, breeding pig, or veal calf that produced these products was confined in a manner prohibited by the proposed law. The proposed law would exempt sales of food products that combine veal or pork with other products, including soups, sandwiches, pizzas, hotdogs, or similar processed or prepared food items. The proposed law’s confinement prohibitions would not apply during transportation; state and county fair exhibitions; 4-H programs; slaughter in compliance with applicable laws and regulations; medical research; veterinary exams, testing, treatment and operation if performed under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian; five days prior to a pregnant pig’s expected date of giving birth; any day that pig is nursing piglets; and for temporary periods for animal husbandry purposes not to exceed six hours in any twenty-four hour period. The proposed law would create a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for each violation and would give the Attorney General the exclusive authority to enforce the law, and to issue regulations to implement it. As a defense to enforcement proceedings, the proposed law would allow a business owner or operator to rely in good faith upon a written certification or guarantee of compliance by a supplier. The proposed law would be in addition to any other animal welfare laws and would not prohibit stricter local laws. The proposed law would take effect on January 1, 2022. The proposed law states that if any of its parts were declared invalid, the other parts would stay in effect.

2016 Nov 8 :: State of Massachusetts :: Question 3 :: Initiative PetitionDo you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives on or before May 3, 2016? See summary »

Ballot Question Results

View results as: # | %  
Ward
Yes
No
Blank Votes Total Votes Cast Total Ballots Cast
Totals
 
33,181
6,310
1,383
39,491
40,874
Precinct 1
 
1,010
234
89
1,244
1,333
Precinct 2
 
1,365
301
84
1,666
1,750
Precinct 3
 
1,036
223
68
1,259
1,327
Precinct 1
 
1,534
276
72
1,810
1,882
Precinct 2
 
1,853
325
52
2,178
2,230
Precinct 3
 
1,798
286
67
2,084
2,151
Precinct 1
 
1,560
263
60
1,823
1,883
Precinct 2
 
1,659
269
71
1,928
1,999
Precinct 3
 
1,848
329
78
2,177
2,255
Precinct 1
 
1,013
265
91
1,278
1,369
Precinct 2
 
1,221
277
62
1,498
1,560
Precinct 3
 
1,449
286
67
1,735
1,802
Precinct 1
 
1,662
341
66
2,003
2,069
Precinct 2
 
1,923
369
61
2,292
2,353
Precinct 3
 
1,965
345
48
2,310
2,358
Precinct 1
 
2,119
349
59
2,468
2,527
Precinct 2
 
1,953
371
49
2,324
2,373
Precinct 3
 
1,238
224
34
1,462
1,496
Precinct 1
 
1,937
361
37
2,298
2,335
Precinct 2
 
1,443
298
90
1,741
1,831
Precinct 3
 
1,595
318
78
1,913
1,991
Totals
 
33,181
6,310
1,383
39,491
40,874