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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3553 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 361
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Patricia A. Duffy, (BY REQUEST)
_________________
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 reducing electromagnetic radiation emitted by technology through settings, design, and
specific limits.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Kirstin Beatty149 Central Park Drive, Holyoke, MA
01040
1/17/2025 1 of 12
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3553 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 361
By Representative Duffy of Holyoke (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No.
361) of Kirstin Beatty relative to corporate radiation limits. Consumer Protection and
Professional Licensure.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
_______________
An Act reducing electromagnetic radiation emitted by technology through settings, design, and
specific limits.
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 1. The legislature finds and confirms all of the following:-
2 Whereas, the International Commission on the Biological Effects of Electromagnetic
3Fields (ICBE-EMF.org) has provided simple software and hardware solutions that could
4dramatically reduce our wireless exposures, while noting that even if such exposures continue
5they are harmful.
6 Whereas, cellphones are typically the largest individual exposure to radiofrequency
7radiation, exceeding that of far field cell towers, with requirements to utilize cellphones in all
8facets of life have increased since 2004.
9 Whereas, studies show proximity to cell towers increases cancer, such as a study finding
1010.5 times greater cancer incidence for women after only the second year of a cell tower
11installation, despite electromagnetic radiofrequency exposures 1000 times less that U.S. FCC 2 of 12
12limits; or another study finding cancer death rates significantly elevated within 500 meters of a
13cell tower (Wolf & Wolf, 2004; Dode et al, 2011)
14 Whereas, scientists Henry Lai and Narendra Singh decades ago found that radiation
15comparable to cellphones could cause DNA breaks, but then faced propaganda from industry to
16discredit their work; Lai has since then compiled peer-reviewed studies to show that most studies
17find DNA damage, neurological effects, genetic effects, etc., as listed at the Bioinitiative (.org), a
18scientific project which industry has also sought to discredit.
19 Whereas, the scientific literature reveals serious threats to life from current wireless
20exposures such as numerous studies finding damage to sperm and ovaries; DNA damage that can
21cause germ line mutations in following generations; and infertility in mice after a few
22generations of wireless radiation exposure (Magdas & Xenos, 1997).
23 Whereas, reducing power density may reduce some mechanisms of harm as may
24increasing off-line functionality of wireless devices, but scientific studies also show that
25extremely low power density exposure allows serious biological effects that still must otherwise
26be addressed, beginning with limits on particularly vulnerable populations such as children and
27pregnant women.
28 Resolved, that the policy goals of this act shall be to limit electromagnetic radiation from
290 hertz through 300 gigahertz that is emitted by technology by requiring:
30 (a) technology companies to add design modifications in products that reduce wireless
31exposures such as improving off-line functionality and limiting transmissions; 3 of 12
32 (b) technology companies to include design modifications that reduce electric and
33magnetic fields such as shielding and quality filtering;
34 (c) best practices for settings, selection, and installation of technology software,
35equipment, and infrastructure;
36 (d) future-proofing products and equipment to enable wired functionality with reduced
37electromagnetic emissions.
38 SECTION 2. The General Laws are hereby amended by inserting after chapter 166A the
39following new chapter:
40 CHAPTER 166B.
41 CORPORATE RADIATION LIMITS
42 Section 1.
43 (a) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
44 "As Safe As Reasonable and Achievable" or "ASARAA" means that when humans or the
45environment are exposed to radiation from technology, the exposure should be as safe as is
46reasonable and achievable with respect to all software design, installation, and technological
47aspects, such as with regard to but not limited to non-use (an elimination of exposure), pulsing,
48modulation, frequencies, resonance, power density, polarization, power quality, distance of
49reach, shielding, filters, grounding, and synergism between frequencies or other bio-active
50substances. 4 of 12
51 "Reasonable" means within the term ASARAA a prioritization of safety and does not
52refer to a risk and benefits analysis - reasonable refers to the fact that prioritizing safety is
53reasonable. Reasonable design means that non-use or elimination of radiation applies when a
54potential for great danger to the public or environment exists as judged by a reasonable
55interpretation of available science, expert warnings, or when effects are unknown.
56 "Electromagnetic radiation" or "radiation" means all radiation emitted by technology,
57whether intentionally or unintentionally, and includes the radiative fields emitted by electricity,
58including from poor power quality, and the radiating frequencies that are emitted by wireless
59technologies.
60 (b) Corporations which design, manufacture, install, or maintain digital, internet, or
61wireless infrastructure, technological products, or their respective services must within their
62purview make design and technological choices that limit harm from electromagnetic radiation -
63exposures from technology must be ‘As Safe as Reasonable and Achievable’, which will
64hereafter be called ‘ASARAA’. Where products or services are actually intended to operate
65wirelessly or otherwise intentionally emit radiation, such corporations are to minimize harm with
66ASARAA design, selection, and best practices.
67 This directive for ASARAA design refers to all new products, services, installations,
68settings, infrastructure and, where compatibility exists, to service upgrades, product upgrades,
69repairs, and ongoing software updates.
70 (c) General ASARAA design principles and more specific requirements are as follows: 5 of 12
71 (1) Limit consumer and work exposure to wireless radiation from personal devices,
72personal computers, and other radiating technologies including but not limited to the following
73requirements:
74 i. Provide hard-wired integration options for wireless technologies and services so
75that any wireless antenna can be turned off when hard-wired transmission is preferred, including
76but not limited to smart entertainment systems that must have hard-wired functionality without
77wireless transmissions;
78 ii.Automatically block wireless radiation emissions, but not reception, when
79positioned close to the head or body;
80 iii.Include a soft key that easily allows all wireless transmissions to be turned on or
81halted at once;
82 iv.Include a soft key for a mode that only receives and does not transmit;
83 v. Set factory and default mode to wired connectivity, allowing updates, downloads,
84and installations to occur with wired instead of wireless connectivity and insuring that updates do
85not restart wireless transmissions that were preset as wired;
86 vi.As related to messaging, data collection, and other applications, provide an
87application that allows consumers to turn off antenna transmissions individually as well as
88allows consumers to set transmissions to begin and end at certain times including as set on a
89regular basis and as set by the tap of a soft key or button that sets the signal to begin after a
90certain time and upon completion of transmission or as set by the user.
91 vii.Provide a visible marker that indicates when wireless transmissions are occurring. 6 of 12
92 viii.Eliminate continuing transmissions of location so that transmissions only occur
93when expressly and actively sought by the user for an immediate, active use, for a time set by the
94user and easily halted.
95 ix.Provide an application to turn on location services upon remote inquiry in order to
96find lost mobile devices.
97 x. Set routers, wireless home phones, and other transmitting devices to only transmit
98on demand and even during a certain time frame, and to turn off when no longer in use by the
99consumer.
100 xi.Where products and services, including utilities, use wireless transmissions,
101insure that all such transmissions are specific to the user's needs, such as payment for services,
102updates, or cybersecurity checks, and are not in any way extraneous to the product or service,
103such as but not limited to data collection for profiling and marketing.
104 xii.Where utilities have placed more than 1 utility meter, such as but not limited to
105apartment buildings, utlities are to remove the wired functionality of these utility meters and
106replace the meters with analog meters or wired utility meters that best reduce electromagnetic
107radiation exposures.
108 xiii.With respect to data collection, integration, and related work on the part of the
109user of a device, include simple, preferential functionality for inputing and collecting data offline
110and for use of wired connectivity for downloading and syncing onto any pertinent device,
111including a passive storage device. 7 of 12
112 xiv.With respect to wireless transmissions, use automated protocol-based reductions
113of all of the following: the number of emissions, emission duration, and the integrated dose.
114 xv. Provide an easy to access, free application with personal wireless devices
115to limit call durations according to an estimation of the effective radiated power emitted by the
116device that allows: (A) users to track and further refine call duration limits beyond any default
117settings; (B) allow guardians to easily set limits for their children's devices, including
118disallowing wireless for times specified, with allowances to bypass only under specific
119conditions specified by the guardian except for allowing continuing access on mobile phones to
120dial relevant emergency and crisis numbers.
121 xvi.Except where only wireless connectivity can provide functionality of a product or
122service, insure wired or offline functionality is available and comparable in quality or better than
123wireless functionality;
124 xvii. Insure use of quality connectors that prevent leakage of radiation;
125 xviii.Modify the antenna of personal mobile devices so the emission pattern is more
126hemispherical and radiates away from the head and the body.
127 xix.With new personal computer, cellphone, and other wireless technology product
128sales, provide the connecting necessities and ports, with or without an Ethernet cord, for hard-
129wired functionality as part of the sales package so that users are not required to use wireless
130mice, headphones, etc., for functionality.
131 xx.Provide simple, accessible information on how to hard-wire products such as
132routers, including generatlly where to get or buy the necessary equipment to do so; 8 of 12
133 xxi. If providing broadband or telecommunications services to a residence or
134business, provide at a minimum one hard-wired connection with cord and if the resident or client
135expects to use more than one hard-wired connection, provide an ethernet or comparable switch --
136additionally provide education on how to hard wire devices for connectivity;
137 xxii. When installing, programming, or setting up relevant technology as part of an
138installation service, limit radiation wherever possible, using best practices such as but not limited
139to providing an installation option for hard-wired connectivity, providing distance from and
140labeling of any wireless antennas, selecting products which minimize all electromagnetic
141exposures; and providing guidance and labeling to maintain best practices to limit
142electromagnetic radiation.
143 xxiii. Where installing broadband or telecommunications services for consumers,
144insure that the cost of wired, in contrast to wireless installation, is an add-on with a cost that
145does not exceed the costs of supplies and the hourly wage of installers by more than 1%.
146 xxiv.Limit the number, reach or distance of, and the power density of antennas to only
147that necessary for functionality.
148 xxv.If providing streaming services, provide downloadable options to reduce wireless
149exposures from streaming.
150 xxvi.Provide large buttons or manual switches that clearly mark and easily turn off
151wireless transmissions on equipment such as but not limited to routers. 9 of 12
152 xxvii.Include a two to three meter cord with switch or another mechanism to to allow
153users to turn on and turn off transmissions at a distance from strong near field exposures from
154static consumer devices such as but not limited to routers.
155 xxviii.Provide the location of antennas and sensors on wireless and digital technology
156within print and online manuals, and provide instructions for the removal of antennas or
157elimination of their transmissions such as but not limited to smart devices and appliances.
158 xxix.Where services and products, including utilities, use wireless for payment or
159updating functionality that cannot easily or immediately be replaced by hard-wired connectivity,
160insure that the wireless transmission is set to minimize transmissions, including but not limited to
161using low power density, minimizing signal duration, and setting transmission time to occur with
162the minimum exposure possible, such as at a designated time set by the user or quarterly,
163including with notification to the user of expected transmission times
164 xxx.For wireless transmissions such as updates and messaging, include information on
165how long the wireless signal is expected to take in advance of the transmission begins and
166provide a voluntary ring tone and visible sign that the wireless transmission is completed.
167 xxxi.When using a wireless signal for transmission, automatically prefer use of
168antennas which require less power density for connectivity, such as Wi-Fi antennas.
169 xxxii.Where wireless signals occur that are not related to the user's messaging, internet
170usage, necessary provider payments, or for necessary functionality and cybersecurity updates,
171provide an app that clearly identifies all the different signaling alongside accompanying options
172to eliminate each signal or choose to circumscribe the time of transmission. 10 of 12
173 xxxiii.Corporations selling products that unintentionally emit frequencies from 0 hertz
174through 300 gigahertz that cannot all be successfully remediated, such as but not limited to
175fiberoptic connectors, are to provide information on the packaging and in manual regarding any
176leakage of this electromagnetic radiation, including the amount, frequencies, and description of
177how time and use may impact leakage.
178 xxxiv. When installing broadband or telecommunications access in early through higher
179education settings as well as in daycare, nursing homes, and hospitals, provide hard-wired ports
180and hard-wired connectivity that best reduces electromagnetic radiation, prioritizing such
181connectivity first in areas specific to babies, pregnancies, and children.
182 (2) Limit consumer exposure to radiation from electric and magnetic fields with good
183design including the following requirements:
184 i. Limit frequencies on electrical cords and infrastructure through the use of
185appropriate filters, connectors, and quality electrical design to prevent the addition of
186electromagnetic frequencies besides 60 hertz on the electrical lines and to comply with electrical
187code standard IEEE 519;
188 ii.Limit electric and magnetic fields through the use of shielding, grounding,
189distance setbacks, and quality electrical design.
190 iii.Corporations selling products which emit frequencies from 0 hertz through 300
191gigahertz or which continue to leak such frequencies despite quality filtering and remediation,
192including but not limited to lighting, are to provide information on the packaging and in the
193product manual regarding any intentional or unintentional emissions including leakage, including
194providing the amount, frequencies, and, for leakage, the effects of time and use on leakage. 11 of 12
195 (d) While subsection (c) above provides some specific requirements, the general principal
196of ASARAA means that corporations have a duty to be proactive in the prevention of harm
197through continuing investigation and application of findings to further additional modifications
198for the best, safest, future-proof design. Corporations have a duty to pay attention to critics,
199cautions and guidance from existing scientific knowledge around the world from past to present
200in order to craft safer technology - and a duty to avoid ignorance or compromised, inadequate
201research as an excuse to avoid responsibility. Recommended resources to guide design include
202the Building Biology Institute and the International Commission on the Biological Effects of
203Electromagnetic Fields.
204 (e) The attorney general shall enforce good faith compliance of this section through
205adjudication of complaints alleging such violations in accordance with chapter 93A and with
206chapter 106, section 2-314. This remedy shall not be exclusive and shall be in addition to all
207other causes of action, remedies and penalties provided by law, and shall allow for a qui tam
208action as well as a private right of action for product liability and negligence. The office of the
209attorney general shall provide a mechanism for anonymous reporting of violations. Corporate
210whistle-blowers shall be provided comparable rewards and protections to that of the
211Massachusetts False Claims Act and the Massachusetts Whistleblower Protection Act.
212 SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon its passage. Upon the effective date of this
213section, compliance shall be in good faith with steps initiated to implement changes within a
214month and changes rolled out as soon as functional. Changes that can take place immediately,
215such as in the best practices for installation shall be implemented within one month of passage.
216Specific software requirements which require design modification shall be implemented at
217minimum within 2 years of passage unless sooner implementation is possible, in which case 12 of 12
218sooner implementation shall take place. Those changes requiring manufacturing or hardware
219changes should at minimum take no more than 4 years to be enacted, unless sooner
220implementation is possible, in which case sooner implementation shall take place. Hardware and
221software changes should be reflected in the interim in the ongoing design of new models.
222 SECTION 4. The provisions of this act are severable, and if any clause, sentence,
223paragraph or section of this law or an application thereof shall be adjudged by any court of
224competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the
225remainder thereof but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph,
226section or application adjudged invalid and such clause, sentence, paragraph, section or
227application shall be reformed and construed so that it would be valid to the maximum extent
228permitted.