Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

Massachusetts Senate Bill S523 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	1 of 1
2	2	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1959 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
3	3	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 523
4	4	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
5	5	_________________
6	6	PRESENTED BY:
7	7	Jason M. Lewis, (BY REQUEST)
8	8	_________________
9	9	To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
10	10	Court assembled:
11	11	The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
12	12	An Act to further research and report analysis of athletic performance surfaces their safety and
13	13	recommendations.
14	14	_______________
15	15	PETITION OF:
16	16	NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Vincent Lawrence Dixon60 Lake Street Unit N, Winchester MA
17	17	01890 1 of 3
18	18	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1959 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
19	19	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 523
20	20	By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 523) of Vincent
21	21	Lawrence Dixon for legislation to further research and report analysis of athletic performance
22	22	surfaces their safety and recommendations. Environment and Natural Resources.
23	23	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
24	24	_______________
25	25	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
26	26	(2023-2024)
27	27	_______________
28	28	An Act to further research and report analysis of athletic performance surfaces their safety and
29	29	recommendations.
30	30	Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
31	31	of the same, as follows:
32	32	1 SECTION I. – The Massachusetts General Laws are hereby amended by inserting the
33	33	2following new chapter:
34	34	3 Comprehensive Study of Athletic Performance Surfaces –
35	35	4 Including Artificial Grass – & Turf Surfaces Act
36	36	5 An Act to Further Research And Report Analysis of Athletic Performance Surfaces
37	37	6 Their Safety – And Recommendations
38	38	7 SECTION II. – PURPOSE
39	39	8 There shall be established a: Comprehensive Athletic Surface Performance Commission
40	40	9(CASPC). Significant Public Health concerns, have grown regarding the use of artificial grass,
41	41	10and various artificial turf surfaces, in schools, athletic facilities, parks, and other locations across 2 of 3
42	42	11The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and cautionary information, suggests that such use should
43	43	12be limited, and/or ceased. Important analysis, and research on this set of issues, is needed, before
44	44	13further potentially negligent, and wasteful public expenditure, is carried out.
45	45	14 This Special Commission, shall conduct comprehensive research relating to studying
46	46	15athletic performance surfaces – including artificial grass – and turf surfaces; and shall provide a
47	47	16detailed, factual analysis of all such surfaces, their costs, their public health effects, and their
48	48	17long-term values.
49	49	18 SECTION III. – MEMBERSHIP
50	50	19 This Special Commission, shall consist of eleven (11) members, who shall include: Three
51	51	20(3) members, including at least one (1) researcher, designated by the PFAS Lab, at the Social
52	52	21Science Health Research Institute at Northeastern University; one (1) representative of the
53	53	22Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs; one (1) representative of
54	54	23outdoor high school sports coaches; one (1) representative of outdoor college sports coaches; one
55	55	24(1) sports medicine medical doctor professional; one (1) representative of an established
56	56	25environmental organization; and three (3) members of the general public, at least one (1) of
57	57	26whom will be a parent of an outdoor sport student.
58	58	27 Once the Special Commission is appointed, and convened, they shall select one (1)
59	59	28member, as Chair. They shall conduct such inquiry as further described, and produce a report, no
60	60	29more than 24 months after beginning operations.
61	61	30 SECTION IV. – ADMINISTRATIVE LOCATIONS – AND OPERATIONS 3 of 3
62	62	31 The Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, shall
63	63	32designate, a representative designee, to be a member of the Special Commission; as noted above,
64	64	33and provide such resources, experts, and facilitation, as needed.
65	65	34 The Commission, shall conduct a series of hearings, across The Commonwealth of
66	66	35Massachusetts, inviting a wide range of public comment, and asking detailed scientific, and
67	67	36medical questions, and information.