Bill > H462

This bill aims to protect children and school personnel in Massachusetts from exposure to environmental toxins by requiring the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Department of Public Health to develop health risk assessment guidelines for proposed school construction sites. Key provisions include: - The DEP must promulgate regulations requiring a public body responsible for a proposed school site to conduct a public participation plan, an Initial Environmental Assessment (IEA) to identify potential sources of contamination, and potentially a Preliminary Endangerment Assessment (PEA) if the site is near potential contamination sources. - The DEP must review the IEA and PEA and can approve, disapprove, or exclude sites based on the findings. The public body must then decide whether to abandon the site, proceed with remediation, or consider an alternative site. - The bill requires the Massachusetts School Building Authority and the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency to ensure applicants have completed the site evaluation process and received DEP approvals before providing financial support for school projects. - The bill allows the DEP or a group of 10 aggrieved citizens to seek court relief for alleged violations of the Act and its regulations.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H462