Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 94, § 139E

The commissioner shall administer the provisions of sections one hundred and thirty-nine C to one hundred and thirty-nine G, inclusive. He shall promulgate and may from time to time revise rules and regulations which shall conform substantially to the rules and regulations promulgated by the secretary of the United States department of agriculture pursuant to the Federal Humane Slaughter Act of 1958 (Public Law 85-765; 72 Stat. 862);  1 provided, however, that the use of a manually operated hammer, sledge or poleax shall not be deemed a humane method of slaughter within the meaning of sections one hundred and thirty-nine C to one hundred and thirty-nine G, inclusive.