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MA H1647
Bill
Status
Introduced
2/27/2025
Primary Sponsor
Michael Day
Click for details
AI Summary
- Creates a new "Citizen Environmental Negligence – Right of Action Act" allowing individuals, communities, and local organizations to sue in Massachusetts District Court for damages caused by environmental pollution
- Plaintiffs can bring civil actions regardless of the amount in controversy, citizenship of parties, or availability of other regulatory/administrative remedies
- District Courts must appoint attorneys for plaintiffs with sufficient standing based on actual or sufficient evidence of environmental harm
- Permits individual lawsuits, Community Rights of Action, and class actions against corporations, individuals, or organizations causing deliberate or unintentional environmental harm
- Establishes minimum damages of $1,000 per infraction (such as daily instances of polluting water, air, or soil) and allows courts to order Specified Remedial Required Actions
Legislative Description
To improve enforcement of environmental quality
Last Action
Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order
11/26/2025
Committee Referrals
Judiciary2/27/2025
Full Bill Text
No bill text available