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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1961 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 524
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 consider the safety of artificial grass and turf surfaces.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Vincent Lawrence Dixon60 Lake Street Unit N, Winchester MA
01890 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1961 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 524
By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 524) of Vincent
Lawrence Dixon for legislation to consider the safety of artificial grass and turf surfaces.
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 consider the safety of artificial grass and turf surfaces.
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
2 following new chapter:
3 The Artificial Grass – & – Turf Surfaces – Installation Moratorium Act
4 An Act to Consider the safety of artificial grass and turf surfaces.
5 SECTION II. – EMERGENCY PREAMBLE
6 Considering the apparent appearance of a Public Emergency, in The Commonwealth of
7Massachusetts, caused by the installation of artificial grass, and various artificial surfaces, on
8outdoor surfaces, including athletic sports fields, and parks; which may have caused, and may be
9continuing to cause, serious environmental contamination by PFAS chemical materials; and/or
10the covering over of ground soil, and water contamination; it is declared that this legislation is
11that of an Emergency Nature. Upon its adoption, it shall be implemented immediately by the 2 of 2
12Governor, The Department of Public Health (DPH), and all other appropriate agencies, by
13appropriate immediate Declaration.
14 SECTION III. – PURPOSE – AND REQUIREMENTS
15 This legislation, shall require a Moratorium, of at least 36 months, from the date of its
16passage; preventing the installation of any artificial grass, and/or similar artificial turf materials,
17including in particular, on outdoor athletic fields, and parks. During this period of time, the
18Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) shall conduct a needed evaluation,
19drawing on expert opinion, including those from the PFAS Lab of Northeastern University.
20 If a Comprehensive Athletic Surface Performance Commission (CASPC) is established
21by legislation; or lacking legislation, a similar body, shall be established by the Secretary of
22EEA, such analysis, shall be publicly reported; prior to the lifting of such 36 month Moratorium;
23and not before the 36 month period, has elapsed.