SENATE DOCKET, NO. 198        FILED ON: 1/14/2015

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 158

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

John F. Keenan, (BY REQUEST)

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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 to regulate the sale and use of microwave ovens.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 198        FILED ON: 1/14/2015

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 158

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 113 OF 2013-2014.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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

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An Act to regulate the sale and use of microwave ovens.

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

SECTION 1.  Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the office of consumer affairs and business regulations shall establish minimum safety requirements for all microwave ovens sold and operated in the commonwealth including but not limited to the following: 

(i) a microwave oven must not be large enough to be able to fit an infant child or small animal into;

(ii) a microwave oven must not operate at more than 500 watts;

(iii) all microwave ovens sold in the commonwealth must be equipped with a motion sensor in the oven designed to detect a living person or animal and immediately turn off the cooking mechanism;

(iv) all microwave ovens sold in the commonwealth must pass a drop test to ensure no leakage of radiation;

(v) all microwave ovens in the commonwealth must be registered and equipped with a locking device;

(vi) any microwave oven purchased on the internet to be operated in the commonwealth must conform to Massachusetts regulations;

(vii) no microwave oven may be sold at a yard sale or flea market;

(viii) only one microwave oven permitted per residence;

(ix) any residence equipped with an oven is prohibited from possessing a microwave oven;

(x) anyone under the age of 18 is prohibited from operating a microwave oven;

(xi) all microwave ovens sold in the commonwealth must only be done so by a licensed dealer; and

(xii) a buyer of a microwave oven must sign a document at time of sale affirming they know and understand the requirements herein.