Relative to legal advertisements in online-only newspapers
Impact
If passed, H1723 will amend existing statutes in Chapter 4 of the Massachusetts General Laws, specifically relating to the publication of legal notices. This change will enhance access to legal information by making it more readily available to citizens who may not have access to print newspapers. The bill stipulates that an online-only newspaper's publication will be considered satisfactory if the advertisements are displayed appropriately on their own and the statewide website.
Summary
House Bill 1723 aims to modernize the requirements for legal advertisements by allowing online-only newspapers to fulfill publication requirements through their websites and a statewide website. The current legislation mandates that legal notices must be published in print newspapers, which has become increasingly out of touch with digital trends. This bill seeks to align legal requirements with contemporary reading habits and recognizes the shift towards online media as a primary source of information for many constituents.
Contention
There may be points of contention regarding the reliability of online publications, particularly concerning the occurrence of errors or website outages. The bill provides that errors caused by the website operator or temporary outages will not invalidate the legal notice, promoting flexibility in publishing but also raising concerns about accountability and the potential for misinformation. These issues may invite debate on whether the transition to online-only legal notice requirements ensures adequate public notice and compliance with legal standards.