Following the passage of Proposition 2 in California last November, a ballot initiative that will mean some room to move around for factory farm victims, a similar measure has been filed in Massachusetts.

It is a bill and not a ballot initiative which means it must pass the legislature instead of becoming law upon a vote by the electorate.  H.B. 815 is pending now in the Assembly (House) Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee. 

The bill would prevent the confinement of egg laying hens, pregnant pigs, and veal calves in such a way that would prevent them from being able to "turn around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs."

Pregnant pigs could be confined in gestation crates in the week prior to giving birth. The bill does not apply to animals held for "scientific or agricultural research" or veterinary care, or during slaughter or transportation or while they are at "rodeo exhibitions, state or county fair exhibitions, 4-H programs, and similar exhibitions".

This bill would not be effective until 2015.

For more on the factory farming practices this bill would ameliorate and California's Proposition 2, go here.

Colorado, Oregon, California, Florida and Arizona have banned gestation crates for pigs. Colorado, California and Arizona have banned tie stalls for veal calves. California has banned use of battery cages for egg laying hens.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Contact members of the Assembly (House) Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee here. Urge them to pass H.B. 815!

Find your Massachusetts legislators here and also urge them to pass H.B. 815.