Bill > S664

This bill amends Chapter 21E of Massachusetts General Laws to clarify and expand definitions and liability protections related to hazardous material releases. Specifically, the bill provides a comprehensive definition of "condition of substantial release migration," which includes various scenarios involving the potential spread of oil or hazardous materials that could cause health, safety, or environmental risks, such as contamination of groundwater, surface waters, or potentially harmful vapor intrusion into buildings like schools or residential dwellings. The bill also introduces a new term "critical exposure pathways," which defines specific routes of potential human exposure to hazardous materials, including vapor emissions and contaminated drinking water. Furthermore, the bill provides significant liability protection for eligible persons who have undergone a department audit of response actions at a site, stating that if no violations are found or if violations are promptly corrected, the person shall be deemed to have no liability for releases at previously unidentified properties. The legislation aims to provide clearer guidelines for environmental cleanup and protect responsible parties who have demonstrated good-faith efforts to address hazardous material releases.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S664