MA H2471

Requires all Massachusetts cities and towns to provide free cooling centers during "periods of excessive heat," defined as temperatures exceeding 90°F or heat index above 95°F for more than three hours

Cooling centers must be air-conditioned public buildings with capacity of 50+ people, or dedicated cooling tents maintained below 75°F with 50+ person capacity

Centers must open within one hour of predicted excessive heat beginning and remain open until one hour after heat ends or temperature drops below 80°F

No proof of residency required for access; funding and maintenance responsibility falls on local municipalities, with the state authorized to repurpose state-owned facilities in towns lacking cooling centers

Municipalities facing undue burden may apply to the Department of Public Health for an exemption