Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Massachusetts Senate Bill S395 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. 1271 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
3	3	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 395
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 promoting racially and culturally inclusive K-12 curriculum.
13	13	_______________
14	14	PETITION OF:
15	15	NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Vincent Dixon60 Lake St Apt N Winchester MA 01890 1 of 3
16	16	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1271 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
17	17	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 395
18	18	By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 395) of Vincent Dixon,
19	19	for legislation to promote racially and culturally inclusive K-12 curriculum. Education.
20	20	[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
21	21	SEE SENATE, NO. 254 OF 2023-2024.]
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 promoting racially and culturally inclusive K-12 curriculum.
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	2following new chapter:
32	32	3 Comprehensive Study of Athletic Performance Surfaces –
33	33	4 Including Artificial Grass – & Turf Surfaces Act
34	34	5 An Act to Further Research And Report Analysis of Athletic Performance Surfaces
35	35	6 Their Safety – And Recommendations
36	36	7 SECTION II. – PURPOSE
37	37	8 There shall be established a: Comprehensive Athletic Surface Performance Commission
38	38	9(CASPC). Significant Public Health concerns, have grown regarding the use of artificial grass, 2 of 3
39	39	10and various artificial turf surfaces, in schools, athletic facilities, parks, and other locations across
40	40	11The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and cautionary information, suggests that such use should
41	41	12be limited, and/or ceased. Important analysis, and research on this set of issues, is needed, before
42	42	13further potentially negligent, and wasteful public expenditure, is carried out.
43	43	14 This Special Commission, shall conduct comprehensive research relating to studying
44	44	15athletic performance surfaces – including artificial grass – and turf surfaces; and shall provide a
45	45	16detailed, factual analysis of all such surfaces, their costs, their public health effects, and their
46	46	17long-term values.
47	47	18 SECTION III. – MEMBERSHIP
48	48	19 This Special Commission, shall consist of fifteen (15) members, who shall include: Three
49	49	20(3) scientific members, including at least one (1) researcher, designated by the PFAS Lab, at the
50	50	21Social Science Health Research Institute at Northeastern University; one (1) representative of the
51	51	22Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs; one (1) representative of
52	52	23outdoor high school sports coaches; one (1) representative of outdoor college sports coaches; one
53	53	24(1) sports medicine medical doctor professional; three (3) representatives of established
54	54	25environmental organizations; and five (5) members of the general public, at least one (1) of
55	55	26whom will be a parent of an outdoor sport student.
56	56	27 Once the Special Commission is appointed, and convened, they shall select one (1)
57	57	28member, as Chair. They shall conduct such inquiry as further described, and produce a report, no
58	58	29more than 24 months after beginning operations.
59	59	30 SECTION IV. – ADMINISTRATIVE LOCATIONS – AND OPERATIONS 3 of 3
60	60	31 The Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, shall
61	61	32designate, a representative designee, to be a member of the Special Commission; as noted above,
62	62	33and provide such resources, experts, and facilitation, as needed.
63	63	34 The Commission, shall conduct a series of hearings, across The Commonwealth of
64	64	35Massachusetts, inviting a wide range of public comment, and asking detailed scientific, and
65	65	36medical questions, and information.