Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Massachusetts Senate Bill S1668 Compare Versions

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

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1	1	1 of 1
2	2	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2598 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
3	3	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1668
4	4	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
5	5	_________________
6	6	PRESENTED BY:
7	7	William J. Driscoll, Jr.
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 updating emergency management.
13	13	_______________
14	14	PETITION OF:
15	15	NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :William J. Driscoll, Jr.Norfolk, Plymouth and BristolSteven George Xiarhos5th Barnstable3/6/2025Sal N. DiDomenicoMiddlesex and Suffolk3/6/2025Michael D. BradySecond Plymouth and Norfolk3/6/2025John F. KeenanNorfolk and Plymouth3/6/2025Joanne M. ComerfordHampshire, Franklin and Worcester3/7/2025 1 of 16
16	16	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2598 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
17	17	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1668
18	18	By Mr. Driscoll, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1668) of William J. Driscoll, Jr.,
19	19	Steven George Xiarhos, Sal N. DiDomenico, Michael D. Brady and other members of the
20	20	General Court for legislation to establish the Massachusetts emergency management agency.
21	21	Public Safety and Homeland Security.
22	22	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
23	23	_______________
24	24	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
25	25	(2025-2026)
26	26	_______________
27	27	An Act updating emergency management.
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 1. The General Laws are hereby amended by inserting after chapter 22E the
31	31	2following chapter :-
32	32	3 Chapter 22F. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
33	33	4 Section 1: Definitions
34	34	5 Section 1. As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly otherwise requires, the
35	35	6following words shall have the following meanings:
36	36	7 “Agency”, Massachusetts emergency management agency.
37	37	8 "Director", the director of the Massachusetts emergency management agency. 2 of 16
38	38	9 "Emergency", the imminent threat or occurrence of severe or widespread loss of life,
39	39	10injury, or other health impacts, property damage or destruction, social or economic disruption, or
40	40	11environmental degradation from natural, technological, or human-made causes.
41	41	12 "Emergency management functions", any act taken to prepare for, prevent, respond to,
42	42	13recover from and mitigate against an emergency. Said functions shall include, but not be limited
43	43	14to, the following: firefighting and police services; medical and health services; search and rescue
44	44	15services; engineering services; communications between first responders, incident commanders,
45	45	16and other public officials; evacuation of persons from stricken areas; radiological, chemical or
46	46	17other special weapons; emergency transportation; existing or properly assigned functions of plant
47	47	18protection; temporary restoration of public utility services; emergency welfare services;
48	48	19dissemination of information to the general public; animal protection; coordination of volunteers
49	49	20and donations; and other functions. Functions for which military forces other than the National
50	50	21Guard are primarily responsible are not covered by this definition.
51	51	22 "Emergency response worker", any individual authorized to perform emergency
52	52	23management functions or affiliated with an organization tasked with performing emergency
53	53	24management functions.
54	54	25 “Mass care facility", any facility which provides protection and basic human services to
55	55	26citizens and evacuees until the threat of the emergency has passed.
56	56	27 "Nuclear power plant areas", any community located within a ten-mile radius of a nuclear
57	57	28power plant, whether or not said power plant is located within the commonwealth.
58	58	29 "Political subdivision", a city, town, county or other governmental entity authorized or
59	59	30created by law, including public corporations and authorities. 3 of 16
60	60	31 "Secretary", the secretary of public safety and security.
61	61	32 Section 2: Responsibilities and Duties
62	62	33 Section 2. There shall be within the executive office of public safety and security an
63	63	34agency to be known as the Massachusetts emergency management agency. The agency shall
64	64	35coordinate federal, state, local, voluntary and private resources during emergencies in the
65	65	36commonwealth. The agency's responsibilities shall include,, developing and maintaining
66	66	37effective emergency response plans to all hazards, disasters or threats; training emergency
67	67	38response workers to protect the public; providing information to the citizens of the
68	68	39commonwealth; coordinating the response to emergencies and disasters for the commonwealth;
69	69	40responding to emergency scenes to provide subject matter expertise and resource assistance;
70	70	41maintaining and managing the commonwealth’s emergency supply stockpiles, assisting
71	71	42individuals, families, businesses and communities to prepare for, respond to, mitigate against,
72	72	43and recover from emergencies, and other tasks assigned to the agency by the governor related the
73	73	44commonwealth's emergency preparedness, management, and response.
74	74	45 Section 3: State Director of Emergency Management, Duties and Powers
75	75	46 Section 3. (a) The governor, upon the recommendation of the secretary, shall appoint the
76	76	47director, who shall be qualified by training and experience in emergency management. The
77	77	48director shall serve as the executive and administrative head of the agency and as the governor’s
78	78	49principal assistant for directing and coordinating emergency management activities. The director
79	79	50shall devote their full time to the duties set forth under this chapter and shall not hold any other
80	80	51public office. The position of director shall be classified in accordance with section 45 of chapter
81	81	5230 of the General Laws and the salary shall be determined in accordance with section 46C of 4 of 16
82	82	53said chapter 30. The director shall coordinate the activities of all organizations for emergency
83	83	54management within the commonwealth. The director shall cooperate and maintain liaison with
84	84	55emergency management agencies of other states and the federal government, and have such
85	85	56additional authority, duties and responsibilities authorized by this chapter and as may be
86	86	57prescribed by the governor. The director shall be responsible to the governor and the secretary
87	87	58for carrying out the program of emergency management for the commonwealth.
88	88	59 (b) The director may appoint such experts and other assistants as the work of the agency
89	89	60may require, may remove them as needed, and may make such expenditures subject to available
90	90	61funding as may be necessary in order to execute effectively the purposes of this chapter. Such
91	91	62employees shall not be subject to chapter thirty-one of the General Laws. The director may, on
92	92	63behalf of the agency for official use, accept gifts, contributions, grants and bequests of funds or
93	93	64other property from individuals, foundations, corporations and federal, state or other
94	94	65governmental bodies, which funds or property may be expended or used with the approval of the
95	95	66secretary to discharge the department's responsibilities or to conduct its programs, without
96	96	67further appropriation. The director may organize the agency in a manner to achieve its statutory
97	97	68responsibilities, including the creation of appropriate departments and divisions.
98	98	69 Section 4: Executive and Administrative Authority
99	99	70 Section 4. (a) The governor shall have general direction and control of the agency, and
100	100	71shall be responsible for carrying out the provisions of this chapter, and may assume operational
101	101	72control over any part or all parts of emergency management functions within the commonwealth.
102	102	73The governor may at the request of the director authorize the employment of such personnel and
103	103	74may make such expenditures as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. The 5 of 16
104	104	75governor may cooperate with the federal government and with other states and private agencies
105	105	76in all matters pertaining to the protection and defense of the commonwealth and the nation, and
106	106	77shall be tasked with the creation of a comprehensive plan and program for the commonwealth as
107	107	78developed by the director, and in accordance with said plan and program may institute training
108	108	79and public information programs and take all other preparatory steps, including the partial or full
109	109	80mobilization of all public organizations in advance of actual emergencies as may be deemed
110	110	81necessary. The governor may direct the secretary or director to make studies and surveys to
111	111	82ascertain the capabilities of the commonwealth for disaster prevention, response, recovery,
112	112	83mitigation and preparedness, and may delegate any administrative authority vested under this
113	113	84chapter to the secretary or director.
114	114	85 (b) The governor shall have the power and authority to cooperate with the federal
115	115	86authorities and with the governors of other states in matters pertaining to emergency
116	116	87preparedness, prevention, management, and response, and also so to cooperate with the military
117	117	88and naval forces of the United States and other states, and to take any measures which he or she
118	118	89may deem proper to carry into effect any request of the president of the United States for action
119	119	90looking to the national defense or to the public safety. The governor may receive and allocate
120	120	91money, supplies, equipment or material granted, loaned or allocated by the federal government
121	121	92or other states to the commonwealth or any of its agencies or political subdivisions to prepare
122	122	93for, respond to, and recover from and mitigate against an emergency.
123	123	94 (c) In reasonable anticipation of an emergency, the governor may exercise any power,
124	124	95authority or discretion conferred on them under this chapter by issuing executive orders or
125	125	96directives to the Massachusetts emergency management agency, or other department or agency
126	126	97of the commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof, or other person. Any department, 6 of 16
127	127	98agency or person so directed shall act in conformity with any orders or directives prescribed by
128	128	99the governor.
129	129	100 (d) Upon the occurrence or imminent threat of occurrence of any emergency, the
130	130	101governor may issue a proclamation setting forth a state of emergency. Said proclamation shall
131	131	102serve to activate applicable emergency response, mitigation, and recovery plans. The state of
132	132	103emergency may extend throughout the commonwealth or may pertain to one or more particular
133	133	104geographic areas. Said proclamation shall be authority for the deployment and use of any state,
134	134	105local, non-profit, or private forces to which the plans apply, and for the use or distribution of any
135	135	106supplies, equipment, materials, or facilities assembled, stockpiled, or arranged to be made
136	136	107available. If the governor notes in the proclamation that the emergency is one that is detrimental
137	137	108to the public health, the commissioner of public health shall have those authorities necessary to
138	138	109prevent disease and maintain public health set forth in section 2A of Chapter 17 of the General
139	139	110Laws.
140	140	111 (e) After the governor issues a proclamation setting forth a state of emergency, the
141	141	112governor may possess, use and employ any property, real or personal, for such time and in such
142	142	113manner as he or she shall deem necessary to protect the commonwealth and its citizens. The
143	143	114emergency management or public safety authorities who seize property during an emergency
144	144	115shall maintain a permanent record of such property and its condition when seized, and shall
145	145	116furnish a true copy of the record to the owner of the seized property The commonwealth shall
146	146	117pay just compensation to the owner of any facilities or materials that are permanently taken or
147	147	118permanently appropriated by a commonwealth authority during an emergency. The
148	148	119commonwealth shall not pay just compensation to the owner of any facilities or materials that
149	149	120said authorities close, evacuate, decontaminate, or destroy when there is reasonable cause to 7 of 16
150	150	121believe that the facilities or materials endanger the public during an emergency. The amount of
151	151	122compensation shall be calculated in the same manner as compensation due for taking of property
152	152	123pursuant to non-emergency eminent domain procedures, as provided in chapter 79 of the General
153	153	124Laws.
154	154	125 (f) The declaration of emergency shall terminate when so declared by the governor, or
155	155	126automatically after 60 days, unless renewed by the governor. Each renewal shall terminate after
156	156	12760 days unless renewed for an additional 60 days, or unless sooner terminated.
157	157	128 Section 5: State of Emergency Declaration
158	158	129 Section 5. (a) During a declared state of emergency, the governor, in addition to any other
159	159	130authority vested in them by law, shall have and may exercise any and all authority over persons
160	160	131and property necessary or expedient to protect the commonwealth and its citizens. Without
161	161	132limiting the foregoing, the governor shall have and may exercise the following specific authority
162	162	133to:
163	163	134 (1) Suspend the provisions of any statute or the orders or regulations of any state agency,
164	164	135if compliance with the provisions of any such statute, order, or regulation would in any way
165	165	136prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with the emergency. Any provision of any
166	166	137statute, order, or regulation inconsistent with an order issued or promulgated during a state of
167	167	138emergency under this chapter shall be inoperative while such a declaration is in effect.
168	168	139 (2) Employ every agency and all persons of the government of the commonwealth or of
169	169	140any of its political subdivisions to protect the lives and property of its citizens and to enforce the
170	170	141law, and utilize all available resources of the state government and of its political subdivisions as
171	171	142reasonably necessary to cope with the emergency. The governor may transfer the direction, 8 of 16
172	172	143personnel, or functions of commonwealth departments and agencies or units thereof for the
173	173	144purpose of performing or facilitating emergency management functions. The governor may
174	174	145assign to any state agency any activity concerned with disaster preparedness and relief, and it
175	175	146shall become the duty of such agency to undertake and carry out such activity on behalf of the
176	176	147commonwealth. All persons employed by the commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions
177	177	148who are acting as emergency response workers shall have the same powers, duties, immunities
178	178	149and privileges as if they were performing those duties for the commonwealth or within any of its
179	179	150political subdivisions.
180	180	151 (3) Order that the members of the police and fire forces of the commonwealth or its
181	181	152political subdivisions, the National Guard, and other authorized agents and emergency response
182	182	153workers performing emergency management functions, including but not limited to health agents
183	183	154authorized under section 30 of chapter 111 of the General Laws, and animal control officers,
184	184	155while in uniform or upon presentation of government-issued identification, may enter private
185	185	156property for the sole purpose of enforcing orders or directives issued by or under authority of the
186	186	157governor. Nothing in this section shall be construed or deemed to prohibit any entry upon private
187	187	158property otherwise authorized by law.
188	188	159 (4) Allow health care practitioners who are licensed in another state and whose license is
189	189	160in good standing to provide health care in any area affected by the emergency.
190	190	161 (5) Notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 32 of the General Laws or any other
191	191	162applicable law, retired employees of the commonwealth who previously served in emergency
192	192	163management or related roles may be temporarily employed by the agency to perform disaster
193	193	164emergency operations functions during a declared state of emergency or other urgent operational 9 of 16
194	194	165needs. Such temporary employment shall not be subject to the restrictions on earnings or hours
195	195	166worked imposed by chapter 32, provided that the duration of such employment does not exceed
196	196	167the period necessary to address the emergency or operational need. Retired personnel engaged
197	197	168under this section shall retain their status as retirees and shall not accrue additional creditable
198	198	169service or retirement benefits as a result of such temporary employment. Compensation for such
199	199	170personnel shall be established by the agency and shall not exceed their pre-retirement rate of pay.
200	200	171 (b) Whoever violates any provision of any order or directive issued by the governor
201	201	172pursuant to sections 5 or 6 of this chapter shall be punished by imprisonment of not more than
202	202	173one year, or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars, or both, unless the conduct in
203	203	174question is covered by existing law and sets forth a greater punishment for the violation.
204	204	175 Section 7: State Emergency Operations Center
205	205	176 Section 7. (a) The agency shall establish a State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) at
206	206	177a facility to serve as the central coordination hub for all emergency management operations
207	207	178within the commonwealth. The SEOC shall serve as the primary location for state-level decision-
208	208	179making, resource allocation, and operational coordination during emergencies and disasters. The
209	209	180SEOC shall be responsible for ensuring a unified and effective response by coordinating efforts
210	210	181among federal, state, local, private sector, and nonprofit entities. It shall also oversee the
211	211	182implementation of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan during
212	212	183incidents requiring a state-level response.
213	213	184 (b) Each state agency designated as an emergency response agency by the director shall
214	214	185assign a minimum of two qualified personnel to serve as liaison officers to the SEOC. These
215	215	186liaison officers shall be tasked with facilitating communication, resource management, and 10 of 16
216	216	187operational support between their respective agencies and the SEOC. The SEOC shall maintain
217	217	188operational readiness at all times and shall be activated by the governor or director during
218	218	189emergencies, disasters, and other significant incidents requiring state-level coordination.
219	219	190 Section 8: State Emergency Management Plan
220	220	191 Section 8. The director shall establish and publish a comprehensive emergency
221	221	192management plan for the commonwealth. This plan shall establish the framework in which the
222	222	193emergency response and recovery actions of all levels of government can be effectively
223	223	194integrated and coordinated. The plan shall be an all-hazards document and shall provide a
224	224	195comprehensive approach for planning for, responding to and recovering from an emergency. The
225	225	196plan shall encompass all aspects of pre-emergency preparedness and post-emergency response,
226	226	197recovery, and mitigation. Specifically, the plan shall: (a) establish the fundamental policies, basic
227	227	198program strategies, assumptions, and mechanisms through which the commonwealth will
228	228	199mobilize resources and conduct activities to guide and support local emergency management
229	229	200efforts during response, recovery, and mitigation; (b) establish a concept of operations for the
230	230	201direction and control of an emergency from initial monitoring through post-disaster response and
231	231	202recovery; (c) define the inter-agency coordination mechanism that facilitates delivery of state
232	232	203assistance and establishment of state direction and control over response and recovery assistance
233	233	204provided by other states and/or the federal government; (d) assign functional responsibilities to
234	234	205appropriate executive offices of the commonwealth as well as to specific state agencies, private
235	235	206sector groups, and volunteer organizations; (e) assess the various levels of emergencies likely to
236	236	207occur within the commonwealth, and the corresponding response and recovery actions needed to
237	237	208recover from them. 11 of 16
238	238	209 Section 9: Personnel
239	239	210 Section 9. (a) The agency is authorized to deploy emergency response personnel, teams,
240	240	211equipment, and other resources of the commonwealth, political subdivisions, non-profit or
241	241	212private sector as state resources to support emergency management operations within or beyond
242	242	213the state, as necessary to reinforce local, regional, state, or national emergency management
243	243	214efforts. Emergency management resources, including personnel and teams, shall be deployed
244	244	215based on the critical needs of the situation, taking into account the plans and priorities of the
245	245	216commonwealth, the Federal Government, and other states. Such deployments shall be initiated
246	246	217upon the orders of the agency and shall support emergency management activities in any part of
247	247	218the commonwealth or, under agreed conditions, in other states.
248	248	219 (b) Personnel deployed as part of emergency management resources shall: (1) as
249	249	220employees of the commonwealth, retain all powers, duties, rights, privileges, and immunities
250	250	221associated with their employment and continue to receive their regular compensation and; (2) as
251	251	222employees of a political subdivision of the commonwealth, retain all powers, duties, rights,
252	252	223privileges, and immunities associated with their employment and continue to receive their
253	253	224regular compensation while serving within or beyond their political subdivision.
254	254	225 (c) All personnel deployed under this section shall be subject to the operational control of
255	255	226the authority in charge of emergency management activities in the area in which they are serving.
256	256	227 Section 10: Municipal Abatements
257	257	228 Section 10. Any city or town that accepts the provisions of this section may establish a
258	258	229program to abate up to one thousand dollars in property taxes due for any fiscal year for a
259	259	230resident of the city or town to provide property tax relief for a non-salaried local director of 12 of 16
260	260	231emergency management and for individuals who are emergency response workers as defined
261	261	232under this chapter, provided such workers are employed by the commonwealth or a political
262	262	233subdivision thereof. Such tax relief may provide either (a) an abatement of up to one thousand
263	263	234dollars in property taxes due for any fiscal year, or (b) an exemption applicable to the assessed
264	264	235value of real or personal property up to an amount equal to the quotient of one million dollars
265	265	236divided by the mill rate, in effect at the time of assessment, expressed as a whole number of
266	266	237dollars per one thousand dollars of assessed value. A city or town which has accepted the
267	267	238provisions of this section may enact the necessary local by-laws, ordinances, rules or regulations
268	268	239to effectuate the provisions of this section.
269	269	240 Section 11: Nuclear Power Preparedness
270	270	241 Section 11. (a) The director shall designate certain areas of the commonwealth as nuclear
271	271	242power planning areas. The director shall publish and release to local officials of each political
272	272	243subdivision within such areas preparedness and response plans which will permit the residents of
273	273	244said areas to evacuate or take other protective actions in the event of a nuclear accident. Copies
274	274	245of such plans shall be made available to the public upon request for a fee which is not to exceed
275	275	246the cost of reproduction. The director shall also publish and release through local officials to the
276	276	247residents of the said areas emergency public information. Such information shall include warning
277	277	248and alerting provisions, evacuation routes, reception areas, and other recommended actions for
278	278	249each area.
279	279	250 (b) The director or designee shall annually review the preparedness and response plans
280	280	251with regard for, but not limited to, such factors as changes in traffic patterns, population
281	281	252densities, and new construction of schools, hospitals, industrial facilities, and the like. Where 13 of 16
282	282	253such factors justify a revision of the preparedness and response plan, the director shall notify the
283	283	254appropriate state and local officials and make recommended changes to the plan.
284	284	255 (c) In the event of any emergency or threatened emergency that involves a release of
285	285	256radiation, the radiation control program of the department of public health shall be notified.
286	286	257 Section 12: Emergency Response Worker Compensation and Leave
287	287	258 Section.12 (a) Any employee of the commonwealth or of any political subdivision may
288	288	259be granted a leave of absence with pay for the purpose of serving as an emergency response
289	289	260worker performing emergency response functions. Any other employer may grant a leave of
290	290	261absence with or without pay to an employee for the purpose of serving as an emergency response
291	291	262worker performing emergency response functions. Said leave shall be approved at the discretion
292	292	263of the employer, public or private. In determining whether to grant said leave, the employer
293	293	264should consider the specialized expertise an employee may possess which could enhance the
294	294	265ability of the commonwealth to prepare for, respond to, and recover from an emergency.
295	295	266 (b) An employee who is granted a leave of absence with pay pursuant to this section shall
296	296	267be compensated by the employee's employing agency at the employee's regular rate of pay for
297	297	268those regular work hours during which the employee is absent from work, but in no event shall
298	298	269the employee receive overtime pay, shift differential pay, hazardous duty pay or any other form
299	299	270of compensation in addition to the employee's regular pay. An employee who is granted leave
300	300	271pursuant to this section shall not lose any already existing insurance or health care coverage,
301	301	272seniority or any previously accrued vacation time, sick time, personal days, compensation time
302	302	273or earned overtime due to the employee's granted leave of absence.
303	303	274 Section 13: Judicial Administration 14 of 16
304	304	275 Section 13. During a state of emergency, the chief justice of the supreme judicial court,
305	305	276the chief judge of the superior court, and the chief judge of the district court, shall consult and
306	306	277recommend to the governor reasonable steps to maintain the safety and security of court
307	307	278personnel, records, and persons held in custody. While courts of the commonwealth, like other
308	308	279government facilities, may be ordered to close during a state of emergency, the chief justice of
309	309	280the supreme judicial court, the chief judge of the superior court, and the chief judge of the district
310	310	281court shall recommend to the governor reasonable steps to open those court facilities affected by
311	311	282a state of emergency as soon as it is safe and practicable to do so. Further, the chief justice of the
312	312	283supreme judicial court, the chief judge of the superior court, and the chief judge of the district
313	313	284court shall work with the members of the judiciary and administrators of the court system to
314	314	285temporarily transfer cases among courts to ensure the continued viability and operability of the
315	315	286commonwealth's justice system.
316	316	287 Section 14: Executive, Constitutional, and Administrative Delegation in the Event of an
317	317	288Emergency
318	318	289 Section 14. The head of each executive, constitutional, and administrative office or
319	319	290agency of the commonwealth, shall designate, by name or position, persons in his or her
320	320	291respective department or division who shall exercise, successively, his or her duties in the event
321	321	292of his or her absence or disability. Each such designation shall be subject to approval by the
322	322	293governor and council and shall be in effect until revoked by the governor who made such
323	323	294designation. Persons designated under this section to perform the duties of a department or
324	324	295division head in his or her absence or disability shall perform such duties only in succession to
325	325	296persons so authorized under any other provision of general or special law. 15 of 16
326	326	297 Section 15: Water Emergencies
327	327	298 Section 15. Any city or town, water district, water supply district, fire and water district,
328	328	299fire district or water company may contract with any other such city, town, district or water
329	329	300company for the interconnection of their water distribution systems and for providing and using
330	330	301any necessary pumping equipment for the supplying of water for domestic, fire and other
331	331	302purposes. The supplying of water for domestic purposes for extended periods shall be subject to
332	332	303the provision of section 40 of chapter 40 of the General Laws. Such interconnections made with
333	333	304the works of the Massachusetts water resource authority or any municipality, district or water
334	334	305company supplied there from shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 92 of the General
335	335	306Laws.
336	336	307 SECTION 2. Section 7E of chapter 90 is hereby amended by inserting after the words
337	337	308“and vehicles specified in section seven D used for transporting school children,” the following
338	338	309words:-
339	339	310 emergency management and disaster response vehicles.
340	340	311 SECTION 3. Section 23B of chapter 149 is hereby repealed.
341	341	312 SECTION 4. Group 2 paragraph (g) of sub-division 2 of section 3 of chapter 32, as
342	342	313amended by section (1) of Chapter 71 of the acts of 2006, is hereby further amended by inserting
343	343	314after the words "officials and employees of the office of public safety and inspections of the
344	344	315division of occupational licensure and the division of inspection of the department of fire
345	345	316services having police powers;" the following words:- employees of the Massachusetts
346	346	317emergency management agency; 16 of 16
347	347	318 SECTION 5. Section 64 of chapter 22C is hereby repealed.
348	348	319 SECTION 6. Chapter 639 of the Acts of 1950 is hereby repealed.
349	349	320 SECTION 7. In any provision of this act or the application thereof to any person or
350	350	321circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or application of the
351	351	322act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application; and to this end the
352	352	323provisions of this act are declared to be severable.