HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5384        FILED ON: 9/23/2024

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

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Steven S. Howitt

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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 relative to the safe storage of UL-listed electric mobility devices.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5384        FILED ON: 9/23/2024

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

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act relative to the safe storage of UL-listed electric mobility devices.

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

Chapter 148 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 61. Storage of electric mobility devices powered by lithium-ion batteries; outdoor storage requirements and safety regulations

(a) For the purposes of this section, an electrically propelled wheeled device shall be defined as any mobility device powered by a battery, including but not limited to lithium-ion batteries, which are capable of being operated on public or private property.

(b) For the purposes of this section, UL Listed shall be defined as any products that have passed testing under Underwriters Laboratories (UL) safety standards and have been certified as meeting those requirements.

(c) Any electrically propelled wheeled device powered by a lithium-ion battery that is not UL-listed must be stored outside of any building or structure. No person shall store any electrically propelled wheeled device powered by a lithium-ion battery that is not UL-listed in any residential, commercial, or public buildings.

(d) If outdoor storage is not feasible due to space restrictions or local zoning, a specialized storage facility certified by Underwriters Laboratories for battery storage must be used.

(e) Electrically propelled wheeled devices must be stored at least ten feet away from any doors, windows, stairways, or other points of egress.

(f) Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars.

(g) The Department of Fire Services, in consultation with Underwriters Laboratories and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, shall conduct a public awareness campaign to inform the public about the risks associated with improper storage of electrically propelled wheeled devices and lithium-ion batteries.