SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1959        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 523

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Jason M. Lewis, (BY REQUEST)

_________________

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 further research and report analysis of athletic performance surfaces their safety and recommendations.

_______________

PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1959        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 523

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

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

_______________

An Act to further research and report analysis of athletic performance surfaces their safety and recommendations.

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

SECTION I. – The Massachusetts General Laws are hereby amended by inserting the following new chapter:

Comprehensive Study of Athletic Performance Surfaces –

Including Artificial Grass – & Turf Surfaces Act

An Act to Further Research And Report Analysis of Athletic Performance Surfaces

Their Safety – And Recommendations

SECTION II. – PURPOSE

There shall be established a: Comprehensive Athletic Surface Performance Commission (CASPC). Significant Public Health concerns, have grown regarding the use of artificial grass, and various artificial turf surfaces, in schools, athletic facilities, parks, and other locations across The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and cautionary information, suggests that such use should be limited, and/or ceased. Important analysis, and research on this set of issues, is needed, before further potentially negligent, and wasteful public expenditure, is carried out.

This Special Commission, shall conduct comprehensive research relating to studying athletic performance surfaces – including artificial grass – and turf surfaces; and shall provide a detailed, factual analysis of all such surfaces, their costs, their public health effects, and their long-term values.

SECTION III. – MEMBERSHIP

This Special Commission, shall consist of eleven (11) members, who shall include: Three (3) members, including at least one (1) researcher, designated by the PFAS Lab, at the Social Science Health Research Institute at Northeastern University; one (1) representative of the Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs; one (1) representative of outdoor high school sports coaches; one (1) representative of outdoor college sports coaches; one (1) sports medicine medical doctor professional; one (1) representative of an established environmental organization; and three (3) members of the general public, at least one (1) of whom will be a parent of an outdoor sport student.

Once the Special Commission is appointed, and convened, they shall select one (1) member, as Chair. They shall conduct such inquiry as further described, and produce a report, no more than 24 months after beginning operations.

SECTION IV. – ADMINISTRATIVE LOCATIONS – AND OPERATIONS

The Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, shall designate, a representative designee, to be a member of the Special Commission; as noted above, and provide such resources, experts, and facilitation, as needed.

The Commission, shall conduct a series of hearings, across The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, inviting a wide range of public comment, and asking detailed scientific, and medical questions, and information.