HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5205        FILED ON: 7/27/2020

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Peter J. Durant

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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 providing for freedom of commerce and personal travel within Massachusetts.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Peter J. Durant

6th Worcester

7/27/2020

Marcos A. Devers

16th Essex

7/27/2020

Shawn Dooley

9th Norfolk

7/27/2020

David F. DeCoste

5th Plymouth

7/27/2020


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5205        FILED ON: 7/27/2020

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By Mr. Durant of Spencer, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Peter J. Durant and others relative to travel of certain persons into the Commonwealth.  The Judiciary.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

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An Act providing for freedom of commerce and personal travel within Massachusetts.

 

Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to provide forthwith for freedom of commerce and personal travel into Massachusetts, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
 

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 chapter 639 of the acts of 1950 or any general or special law or executive order to the contrary, no order shall be issued by the commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof, prohibiting travel of persons from outside the commonwealth into the commonwealth; provided, that no such person shall be required to be tested for the presence of the novel coronavirus or antibodies from the disease known as COVID-19 prior to, or upon, entry into the commonwealth; and provided further, that no order, regulation or rule shall be issued restricting a person subject to quarantine from leaving the commonwealth.

No person entering the commonwealth shall be subject to punishment or civil fine for the failure to, among other things: (i) be tested for the presence of the novel coronavirus or antibodies from the disease known as COVID-19; (ii) quarantine upon arrival in Massachusetts; (iii) engage in travel within the commonwealth outside of self-imposed quarantine; or (iv) register personal information with the commonwealth or any political subdivision of the commonwealth.

SECTION 2. Nothing in this act shall be interpreted to conflict with applicable federal law or regulation.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect as of August 1, 2020.