This bill would ban the use of the most destructive anticoagulant rodenticides, many of which pose a great threat to the biodiversity of the Commonwealth, starting on January 1st, 2027. It would also create a permitting process for limited and responsible use of anticoagulant rodenticides in certain public health emergencies.

Experts and advocates have established guidelines on best practices in using rodenticides to manage rodents without unintentionally harming the broader ecosystem, however it is more common that an anticoagulant agent is used. These rodenticides not only have hazardous run off, but their toxins can then be ingested by animals further up the food chain, negatively affecting the health of predator species, as well as be consumed by a domesticated animal simply by being on the ground.

This bill was derived from a law passed in California in 2021 and is co-filed with Representative Jim Hawkins.