SENATE DOCKET, NO. 3493        FILED ON: 12/18/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2894

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Cynthia Stone Creem and Greg Schwartz

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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 authorizing print-free digital legal notices in the city of Newton.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Cynthia Stone Creem

Norfolk and Middlesex

 

Greg Schwartz

12th Middlesex

 

John J. Lawn, Jr.

10th Middlesex

12/19/2025


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 3493        FILED ON: 12/18/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2894

By Ms. Creem and Mr. Schwartz of Newton, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2894) of Cynthia Stone Creem, Greg Schwartz and John J. Lawn, Jr. (with approval of the mayor and city council) for legislation to authorize print-free digital legal notices in the city of Newton.  Municipalities and Regional Government.  [Local Approval Received.]

 

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 authorizing print-free digital legal notices in the city of Newton.

 

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. Notwithstanding subsection (b) of section 13 of Chapter 4 of the General Laws, wherever the city of Newton and their subdivisions, committees, boards, commissions, bodies, or officers are required by statute, ordinance, by-law, regulation or judicial order to publish a legal notice in a newspaper or newspaper of general circulation, such requirement may be met through one or more of the following means:

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

(ii) A newspaper's website;

(iii) Websites reporting local news and opinion which satisfy all criteria for digital publication

as set forth in said subsection (b) of said section 13 of chapter 4;

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

(v) A city-wide website that may be maintained as a repository for such notices.

SECTION 2. Nothing set forth in this act shall be construed to alter or amend the time or timing of publication of legal notices set forth in the General Laws.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon its passage.