Bill > H1045

This bill amends Chapter 21E of Massachusetts law to provide liability protection for eligible persons who have completed hazardous waste site cleanups. Specifically, if the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) conducts an audit of a site's cleanup and finds either no violations or violations that were promptly corrected, the DEP cannot take further action against the site owner or operator for any previously unidentified releases at that property or other disposal sites. The bill prevents the DEP from promulgating new regulations related to this provision and bars the department from contesting liability or presenting evidence against an eligible person who has achieved and maintained a "permanent solution" or "remedy operations status" for a waste site. In practical terms, this means that once a site has been cleaned up to the DEP's satisfaction, the responsible party is protected from future legal action for environmental contamination, providing greater certainty and finality for property owners and environmental cleanup participants.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1045