1 of 1
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1272 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 624
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Jason M. Lewis, (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 to consider the safety of artificial grass and turf surfaces.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Vincent Dixon60 Lake St Apt N Winchester MA 01890 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1272 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 624
By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 624) of Vincent Dixon,
for legislation to consider the safety of artificial grass and turf surfaces. Environment and
Natural Resources.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 524 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
_______________
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
2following 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 2 of 2
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
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.