SENATE DOCKET, NO. 245        FILED ON: 1/9/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

William N. Brownsberger

_________________

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 prohibiting municipal bans of face coverings for protective or medical use.

_______________

PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 245        FILED ON: 1/9/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

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

_______________

An Act prohibiting municipal bans of face coverings for protective or medical use.

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.  Chapter 40 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 69 the following section:-

Section 70. No city or town shall enact an ordinance or by-law, or establish any policy, that prohibits the wearing of face coverings for protective or medical use in any indoor or outdoor space open to the public including, but not limited to:

Any publicly-owned facility;

Grocery stores, pharmacies, and other retail stores;

Public streets, parks, and ways; and

Any location, including hotels, event venues, and private clubs, that hosts indoor or outdoor events or performances.

SECTION 2.  Chapter 111 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 31E the following section:-

Section 31F. No board of health shall adopt a regulation that prohibits the wearing of face coverings for protective or medical use in any indoor or outdoor space open to the public including, but not limited to:

Any publicly-owned facility;

Grocery stores, pharmacies, and other retail stores;

Public streets, parks, and ways; and

Any location, including hotels, event venues, and private clubs, that hosts indoor or outdoor events or performances.