MA H371

Local boards of health in Massachusetts cities and towns would be prohibited from implementing community-wide bans on the sale of any legal consumer product without approval from town meeting or city council

The restriction applies to bans on sales by authorized stores, establishments, and other entities legally permitted to sell products under existing community bylaws, whether wholesale or retail

Boards of health would retain authority to take emergency action for immediate health concerns related to specific products or locations where health code violations have occurred

Emergency actions cannot be used simply as a pretext to ban legal sales of products

Filed on January 16, 2025 by Representatives Paul K. Frost (7th Worcester) and Joseph D. McKenna (18th Worcester); referred to Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure committee