SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1242        FILED ON: 1/16/2015

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1115

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Michael J. Barrett

_________________

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 protecting public health during unseasonably warm weather.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Michael J. Barrett

Third Middlesex


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1242        FILED ON: 1/16/2015

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1115

By Mr. Barrett, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1115) of Michael J. Barrett for legislation to protect public health during unseasonably warm weather.  Public Health.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth General Court
(2015-2016)

_______________

 

An Act protecting public health during unseasonably warm weather.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Section 127A of Chapter 111 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:-

At its discretion, any board of health or the department may grant a blanket heating variance relieving all landlords or owners in its jurisdiction from any obligation in the code to provide heat when the board of health or department determines such a variance is warranted by unseasonably warm outdoor temperatures; provided however, that a variance may be granted in advance of unseasonably warm outdoor temperatures based on forecasted weather, as necessary to provide sufficient notice for landlords who may provide air conditioning instead of heat during the variance; provided further, that any such variance shall last no longer than 96 hours; provided however, that multiple consecutive variances may be issued in a row when unseasonably warm temperatures continue. Upon receiving a written request for a heating variance from 10 or more residents, owners or landlords under its jurisdiction, a local board of health shall consider issuing a blanket heating variance and issue a decision within 72 hours.