BillTrack50 logo
Free Signup Login
Bill

Bill > H4151

MA H4151

MA H4151
Protecting consumers by prohibiting blocking, throttling, or paid prioritization in the provision of Internet service

summary

Introduced
12/28/2017
In Committee
01/22/2018
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2018

Introduced Session

190th General Court

Bill Summary

For legislation to assure net neutrality by Internet service providers and the equal treatment of data on the Internet, and to prohibit discrimination or charge disparity of user, content, website, platform, application, type of attached equipment or method of communication. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

AI Summary

This bill aims to preserve the open and free nature of the internet by prohibiting internet service providers in Massachusetts from blocking, throttling, or engaging in paid prioritization of internet traffic. The bill defines key terms such as "broadband internet access service" and "paid prioritization," and allows the Department of Telecommunications and Cable to waive the prohibition on paid prioritization only if it can be demonstrated that the practice would provide a significant public interest benefit without harming the open nature of the internet in Massachusetts. The bill also designates violations of its provisions as unfair or deceptive acts under the Massachusetts Antitrust Act, which can be enforced by the Attorney General, and creates an Internet Consumer Access Account to fund the administration and enforcement of the bill.

Committee Categories

Transportation and Infrastructure

Sponsors (60)

Brian Ashe (D),  Cory Atkins (D),  Ruth Balser (D),  Christine Barber (D),  John Barrett (D),  Jennifer Benson (D),  James Cantwell (D),  Evandro Carvalho (D),  Sonia Chang-Díaz (D),  Mike Connolly (D),  Michael Day (D),  Diana Dizoglio (D),  William Driscoll Jr. (D),  Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D),  Dylan Fernandes (D),  Sean Garballey (D),  Denise Garlick (D),  Colleen Garry (D),  Carmine Gentile (D),  Solomon Goldstein-Rose (I),  Pat Haddad (D),  Jonathan Hecht (D),  Natalie Higgins (D),  Russell Holmes (D),  Pat Jehlen (D),  Louis Kafka (D),  Kay Khan (D),  Peter Kocot (D),  Robert Koczera (D),  Stephen Kulik (D),  Barbara L'Italien (D),  Jack Lewis (D),  Jason Lewis (D),  David Linsky (D),  Adrian Madaro (D),  Elizabeth Malia (D),  Paul Mark (D),  Juana Matias (D),  Paul McMurtry (D),  James Miceli (D),  Frank Moran (D),  Matt Muratore (R),  Brian Murray (D),  Harold Naughton (D),  Patrick O'Connor (R),  Jim O'Day (D),  Sarah Peake (D),  Smitty Pignatelli (D),  Denise Provost (D),  Dave Rogers (D),  Jeff Roy (D),  Byron Rushing (D),  Tom Stanley (D),  Bill Straus (D),  Steve Ultrino (D),  Andy Vargas (D),  Aaron Vega (D),  RoseLee Vincent (D),  Chris Walsh (D),  Tom Walsh (D), 

Last Action

Accompanied a study order, see H4684 (on 07/16/2018)
(9 Companion Bills)

bill text

bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H4151
Bill https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H4151.pdf
Loading...