SECTION 1.Section 40 of Chapter 82 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting the following terms therein:-

"Marking standards", means the methods by which a company designates its facilities in accordance with standards established by the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) and the American Public Works Association.

"Non-mechanical means", shall mean excavation using any device or tool manipulated by human power, including air vacuum, air blowing or similar methods of excavation designed to minimize direct contact with utilities.

SECTION 2.Section 40 of said chapter, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting in lines 5 and 6, after the words "cable television company, and", the following words:- “municipal traffic signal departments.”

SECTION 3.Section 40B of Chapter 82 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:-

“A company shall conduct periodic audits to ensure the accuracy of the locating and marking of facilities as well as its adherence to marking standards.”

SECTION 4.Section 40E of Chapter 82 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is amended by adding the following sentence:

“The department of public utilities may require any person or company who does not comply with the provisions of sections 40A to 40E to complete a "Dig Safe" training program in lieu of a fine for a first offense.”