Bill > S1740

This bill amends existing Massachusetts law to establish and clarify the roles of Local Emergency Management Agencies (LEMA) in cities and towns. The bill requires each political subdivision to create a local civil defense organization, which can be an existing city or town department, with a director appointed by the mayor, city manager, selectman, town manager, or town administrator. These local agencies are authorized to perform civil defense functions within their territorial limits during a declared state of emergency, and they have broad powers to respond to disasters, including entering into contracts, incurring obligations, employing temporary workers, purchasing supplies, and accessing private property to provide aid. The bill also mandates that the appointing authority must declare the state of emergency in writing and file this declaration with various state and local officials. Additionally, the legislation directs state and local government departments to cooperate and provide services, equipment, and facilities to support emergency management efforts, allowing the governor or local leaders to assign disaster preparedness and relief activities to relevant agencies as needed. The bill aims to streamline emergency response procedures and provide local authorities with flexible powers to address critical situations effectively.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1740