SENATE DOCKET, NO. 572        FILED ON: 1/14/2025

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

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Jason M. Lewis

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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 relative to protecting aquatic and semiaquatic wildlife on beaches.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 572        FILED ON: 1/14/2025

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

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 relative to protecting aquatic and semiaquatic wildlife on beaches.

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

Chapter 94 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 64 the following section:-

Section 65. (a) Subject to appropriation, the department of conservation and recreation shall create signage informing the public how to properly act when coming in contact with stranded aquatic wildlife and semiaquatic wildlife, such as seals, which the public may find lying on a beach.

(b) Signage shall be placed on beaches near entry points or as the department of conservation deems necessary to protect the health of public and any wildlife.

(c) The signage shall include the following information: (i) general information about the aquatic and semiaquatic wildlife the public may find in the immediate area along the beach as well as which species of wildlife may be in need of assistance if found; (ii) an appropriate phone number to call if any wildlife is in need of assistance; (iii) a note of caution to the public not to directly engage with the wildlife on the beach for their own safety and the safety of the wildlife; and (iv) any other information that may be helpful to the public.