Massachusetts § 33B - Declaration of quarantine areas; tuberculin tests of bovine animals; modified accredited areas; violation of terms of quarantine

Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 33B — Declaration of quarantine areas; tuberculin tests of bovine animals; modified accredited areas; violation of terms of quarantine, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 33B. Declaration of quarantine areas; tuberculin tests of bovine animals; modified accredited areas; violation of terms of quarantine

Section 33B. The director may, upon application to him by not less than seventy-five per cent of the cattle owners owning cattle permanently kept in any city or town, or upon like application by the owners of eighty-five per cent of such cattle, declare said city or town a quarantine area and may proceed to test by the tuberculin test or otherwise all bovine animals within said area. Whenever not less than eighty-five per cent of the cattle permanently kept in the commonwealth are being tested for bovine tuberculosis under the supervision of the director or of the appropriate federal officials, the director may declare the entire commonwealth to be a quarantine area and may proceed to test by the tuberculin test or otherwise all bovine animals within the commonwealth. If the director finds and declares that such a city or town or the commonwealth, as the case may be, is substantially free from bovine tuberculosis, he may proclaim it to constitute a modified accredited area and may prescribe rules and regulations, subject to the approval of the governor and council, prohibiting the shipment or transportation into the same of any bovine animals without a permit and health certificate issued by the director or some officer designated by the director for the purpose. Whoever violates the terms and conditions of any such quarantine or any such rule or regulation shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.

Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 33B

What does Massachusetts General Laws § 33B cover?

Section 33B ("Declaration of quarantine areas; tuberculin tests of bovine animals; modified accredited areas; violation of terms of quarantine") is part of the Massachusetts General Laws, the codified statutory law of Massachusetts. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Massachusetts § 33B?

A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 33B" (Massachusetts). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Massachusetts law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Massachusetts official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney.

How does Massachusetts § 33B apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Massachusetts can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.