Bill > H973

This bill amends Section 13 of Chapter 21A of the Massachusetts General Laws, focusing on the state environmental code and regulations for sewage disposal systems. The bill updates provisions related to the Department of Environmental Protection's authority to create and enforce environmental regulations, establishing significant penalties for violations (up to $25,000 per day and potential imprisonment). It specifies who can prepare plans for subsurface sewage disposal systems, allowing registered sanitarians or professional engineers to create plans for systems handling up to 2,000 gallons per day, with larger systems requiring a professional engineer's design. The bill also provides specific exemptions from septic system inspection requirements during property transfers between certain family members or when the system was recently installed. Additionally, the bill emphasizes reducing bureaucratic paperwork and administrative burden, instructing the commissioner to minimize paperwork for individuals, businesses, and government agencies while ensuring public benefit. Local boards of health are tasked with enforcing the code, with the department having backup enforcement authority if local boards fail to act, and the superior court maintaining jurisdiction to enforce these provisions.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H973