HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4659        FILED ON: 5/7/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4138

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Alice Hanlon Peisch and Cynthia Stone Creem

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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 allowing “print-free” digital legal notices for the town of Wellesley.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4659        FILED ON: 5/7/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4138

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act allowing “print-free” digital legal notices for the town of Wellesley.

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. Purpose.

In light of the lack of an available adequate print newspaper in the town of Wellesley, the purpose of this act is to allow the town of Wellesley, including the Select Board, the School Committee, the Planning Board, and all other elected or appointed boards and committees, or municipal officials, to satisfy legal notice requirements entirely by digital publications.

SECTION 2. Process.

Where legal notice in a newspaper or a newspaper of general circulation is required by statute, bylaw, or judicial order, alternative means of posting such notice, as specified in section 3 of this Act, may be used if approved by a majority vote of the public body or at the discretion of the municipal official legally required to post such notice.

SECTION 3. Means of Legal Notice Publication.

Notwithstanding section 13(b) of chapter 4 of the General Laws, and subject to section 2 of this Act, whenever legal notice in a newspaper or newspaper of general circulation is required by statute, bylaw, or judicial order, such notice requirement shall be satisfied by posting notice in one or more of the following places:

(A)A print newspaper of local or general circulation;

(B)A newspaper’s website;

(C)Websites reporting local news and opinion which satisfy the criteria for digital publication as set forth in said section 13(b) of said chapter 4;

(D)A statewide website that may be maintained as a repository for such notices; or

(E)A townwide website that may be maintained as a repository for such notices.

SECTION 4. Legal Requirements.

Nothing set forth in this Act shall be construed to alter or amend the timing requirements of the publication of legal notices set forth in statute, bylaw, or judicial order.

SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon its passage.