SENATE DOCKET, NO. 226        FILED ON: 1/12/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 155

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Julian Cyr

_________________

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 resolve:

Resolve relative to disclosure of radio frequency notifications.

_______________

PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 226        FILED ON: 1/12/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 155

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 186 OF 2021-2022.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

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

_______________

Resolve relative to disclosure of radio frequency notifications.

Resolved, there shall be a special commission to research the impact of electromagnetic (EMR) and radiofrequency (RFR) radiation on consumer protection, public health, and technology in the Commonwealth.

The commission shall consist of the following 11 members: one of whom shall be the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health or his designee, who shall serve as chair; one of whom shall be the Commissioner of the Department of Telecommunications and Cable or his designee; one of whom shall be a representative from the Office of Technical Assistance and Technology; one of whom shall be the Director of the Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation or his designee; one of whom shall be a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, who is a specialist in environmental medicine; and 6 members with ten years of work experience in their respective fields shall be appointed by the governor, one of whom shall be a representative from the telecommunications industry; one of whom shall be a pediatrician who is knowledgeable about the health effects of EMR and RFR radiation in children; one of whom shall be a scientist who specializes in environmental medicine and is knowledgeable about EMR and RFR radiation; one of whom shall be an attorney with a background in environmental law, with knowledge in EMR and RFR radiation; one of whom shall be an academic who researches medical technology and public health, with knowledge in EMR and RFR radiation and expertise in research methodology; and one of whom shall be an engineer with expertise in wireless network engineering, technology, and knowledge in EMR and RFR radiation.

The commission shall include but not be limited to the following research topics: i) exploring the cost/benefit of disclosing radiofrequency notifications on product packing of wireless devices, with a focus on the effects of RFR labeling fine print on consumer buying behavior and impacts on the technology industry; ii) outlining public awareness and education materials on EMR and RFR radiation for consumers and businesses in the Commonwealth; iii) examining the biological effects of EMR and RFR radiation at the non-thermal level impacting adults and children through industry and non-industry research, with an emphasis on device time and children; iv) implications of EMR and RFR radiation exposure in new wireless technology; v) understanding the regulatory impact of FCC setting RFR public radiation exposure limits and reviewing industry compliance protocols with FFC standards; vi) outlining guidelines for quality EMR and RFR radiation research in the Commonwealth by evaluating both industry and non-industry findings, trends, and research methodologies; vii) examining the impacts of premarket safety testing procedures for wireless technology; and viii) reviewing national and international regulatory best practices that address the impact of EMR and RFR radiation on technology, consumer protection, and public health.

The commission shall file a report of its recommendations and proposed legislation or regulatory changes, if any, with the clerks of the House and Senate and with the chairs of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure not later than December 31, 2023.