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