Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Massachusetts Senate Bill S624 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. 1272 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
3	3	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 624
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 to consider the safety of artificial grass and turf surfaces.
13	13	_______________
14	14	PETITION OF:
15	15	NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Vincent Dixon60 Lake St Apt N Winchester MA 01890 1 of 2
16	16	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1272 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
17	17	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 624
18	18	By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 624) of Vincent Dixon,
19	19	for legislation to consider the safety of artificial grass and turf surfaces. Environment and
20	20	Natural Resources.
21	21	[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
22	22	SEE SENATE, NO. 524 OF 2023-2024.]
23	23	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
24	24	_______________
25	25	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
26	26	(2025-2026)
27	27	_______________
28	28	An Act to consider the safety of artificial grass and turf surfaces.
29	29	Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
30	30	of the same, as follows:
31	31	1 SECTION I. – The Massachusetts General Laws are hereby amended by inserting the
32	32	2following new chapter:
33	33	3 The Artificial Grass – & – Turf Surfaces – Installation Moratorium Act
34	34	4 An Act to Consider the Safety of artificial grass and turf surfaces.
35	35	5 SECTION II. – EMERGENCY PREAMBLE
36	36	6 Considering the apparent appearance of a Public Emergency, in The Commonwealth of
37	37	7Massachusetts, caused by the installation of artificial grass, and various artificial surfaces, on
38	38	8outdoor surfaces, including athletic sports fields, and parks; which may have caused, and may be
39	39	9continuing to cause, serious environmental contamination by PFAS chemical materials; and/or 2 of 2
40	40	10the covering over of ground soil, and water contamination; it is declared that this legislation is
41	41	11that of an Emergency Nature. Upon its adoption, it shall be implemented immediately by the
42	42	12Governor, The Department of Public Health (DPH), and all other appropriate agencies, by
43	43	13appropriate immediate Declaration.
44	44	14 SECTION III. – PURPOSE – AND REQUIREMENTS
45	45	15 This legislation, shall require a Moratorium, of at least 36 months, from the date of its
46	46	16passage; preventing the installation of any artificial grass, and/or similar artificial turf materials,
47	47	17including in particular, on outdoor athletic fields, and parks. During this period of time, the
48	48	18Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) shall conduct a needed evaluation,
49	49	19drawing on expert opinion, including those from the PFAS Lab of Northeastern University.
50	50	20 If a Comprehensive Athletic Surface Performance Commission (CASPC) is established
51	51	21by legislation; or lacking legislation, a similar body, shall be established by the Secretary of
52	52	22EEA, such analysis, shall be publicly reported; prior to the lifting of such 36 month Moratorium;
53	53	23and not before the 36 month period, has elapsed.