SECTION 1. Purpose.

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

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 Massachusetts General Law c. 4 § 13(b) 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

G.L. c. 4 § 13(b);

(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 the Massachusetts General Laws, bylaw, or judicial order.

SECTION 5.

This act shall take effect upon its passage.