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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1563 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 645
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Michael O. Moore
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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 prohibiting the use of coal tar sealers.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Michael O. MooreSecond Worcester 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1563 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 645
By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 645) of Michael O. Moore for
legislation to prohibit the use of coal tar sealers. Environment and Natural Resources.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act prohibiting the use of coal tar sealers.
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. Chapter 111 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition,
2is hereby amended by inserting after section 244 the following section:-
3 Section 245. Coal Tar Pavement Sealant Products.
4 (a) For the purposes of this section, the following words shall have the following
5meanings:
6 “Coal tar”, a viscous substance obtained by the destructive distillation of coal and
7containing levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in excess of 10,000 milligrams per
8kilogram. "Coal tar" includes, but is not limited to, refined coal tar, high temperature coal tar,
9coal tar pitch and coal tar pitch volatiles.
10 “Coal tar sealant product”, a surface-applied sealant product that contains at least a 20
11percent coal tar pitch and is for use on an asphalt or concrete surface, including a driveway or
12parking area, and are a major source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the environment. 2 of 2
13 (b) No person or entity shall apply, or permit the application on property he or she owns,
14a coal tar sealant product on a driveway or parking area.
15 Any person or entity who violates this subsection shall be punished by a fine of not less
16than $500 and, for a second or subsequent violation, by a fine of not less than $1000 or by
17imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than 1 year.
18 SECTION 2. Section 1 shall take effect on January 1, 2026.