Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

Massachusetts Senate Bill S524 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. 1961 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
3	3	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 524
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 consider the safety of artificial grass and turf surfaces.
13	13	_______________
14	14	PETITION OF:
15	15	NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Vincent Lawrence Dixon60 Lake Street Unit N, Winchester MA
16	16	01890 1 of 2
17	17	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1961 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
18	18	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 524
19	19	By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 524) of Vincent
20	20	Lawrence Dixon for legislation to consider the safety of artificial grass and turf surfaces.
21	21	Environment and Natural Resources.
22	22	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
23	23	_______________
24	24	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
25	25	(2023-2024)
26	26	_______________
27	27	An Act to consider the safety of artificial grass and turf surfaces.
28	28	Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
29	29	of the same, as follows:
30	30	1 SECTION I. – The Massachusetts General Laws are hereby amended by inserting the
31	31	2 following new chapter:
32	32	3 The Artificial Grass – & – Turf Surfaces – Installation Moratorium Act
33	33	4 An Act to Consider the safety of artificial grass and turf surfaces.
34	34	5 SECTION II. – EMERGENCY PREAMBLE
35	35	6 Considering the apparent appearance of a Public Emergency, in The Commonwealth of
36	36	7Massachusetts, caused by the installation of artificial grass, and various artificial surfaces, on
37	37	8outdoor surfaces, including athletic sports fields, and parks; which may have caused, and may be
38	38	9continuing to cause, serious environmental contamination by PFAS chemical materials; and/or
39	39	10the covering over of ground soil, and water contamination; it is declared that this legislation is
40	40	11that of an Emergency Nature. Upon its adoption, it shall be implemented immediately by the 2 of 2
41	41	12Governor, The Department of Public Health (DPH), and all other appropriate agencies, by
42	42	13appropriate immediate Declaration.
43	43	14 SECTION III. – PURPOSE – AND REQUIREMENTS
44	44	15 This legislation, shall require a Moratorium, of at least 36 months, from the date of its
45	45	16passage; preventing the installation of any artificial grass, and/or similar artificial turf materials,
46	46	17including in particular, on outdoor athletic fields, and parks. During this period of time, the
47	47	18Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) shall conduct a needed evaluation,
48	48	19drawing on expert opinion, including those from the PFAS Lab of Northeastern University.
49	49	20 If a Comprehensive Athletic Surface Performance Commission (CASPC) is established
50	50	21by legislation; or lacking legislation, a similar body, shall be established by the Secretary of
51	51	22EEA, such analysis, shall be publicly reported; prior to the lifting of such 36 month Moratorium;
52	52	23and not before the 36 month period, has elapsed.