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S 598

A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, RELATING TO APPROVAL OF KINSHIP FAMILY FOSTER HOMES AND KINSHIP ADOPTIVE HOMES FOR CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE, DESIGNATED AS

2025-2026 Regular Session

Explicitly permits the public to pass across private tidelands for running, walking, and access to swimming and snorkeling.

Introduced, read first time, placed on calendar without reference
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 598

Note on source: The bill number and status provided (S.598 — SIGNED CHAP.479) are accompanied by bill text that clearly concerns public passage across private tidelands. The supplied title ("Establishes a state frontotemporal degeneration registry") appears to be incorrect or mismatched to the text. The summary below reflects the actual bill text and docket information relating to tidelands access (Senate Docket No. 312 / S.598).

Summary — S.598 (Chapter 479 of the Acts of 2025)

An Act permitting free passage across private tidelands

Purpose and intent

To clarify and expand the public’s right to traverse private tidelands for low‑impact, recreational uses — specifically by running, walking, and to access swimming and snorkeling — by amending the definition/description of public passage in Massachusetts’ tidelands law (Chapter 91).

Key provision

  • Amends Section 1 of Chapter 91 of the General Laws (as in the 2020 Official Edition) by inserting, immediately after the words “through the water,” the following text:
    • “and passing freely across the tidelands by running, walking, and to access swimming and snorkeling.”
  • In effect, the statutory language explicitly recognizes those activities as permissible public passage across tidelands.

Who is affected

  • Public/recreational users: Beachgoers, walkers, runners, swimmers and snorkelers who use coastal tidelands will have an explicitly stated right to pass across tidelands for those activities.
  • Private tideland owners: Landowners of privately held tidelands may see restrictions on excluding the public from these low‑impact uses; property access rules and signage/enforcement practices may need adjustment.
  • Municipalities and state agencies: Local governments and state natural resources/coastal agencies may need to update guidance, signage, and enforcement policies; they may also be involved in dispute resolution or public‑access management.
  • Potential legal implications: The change could reduce ambiguity and could lead to litigation or administrative actions to define the scope, limits, and reasonable regulation of such passage (e.g., hours, protection of property, safety, or resource protection).

Procedural and timeline highlights

  • Filed / Presented: Senate Docket No. 312 (filed 1/10/2025); presented by Senator Dylan A. Fernandes.
  • Committee activity and hearings: Referred to Environment and Natural Resources; hearing scheduled 06/03/2025; reviewed by finance and other committees per docket entries.
  • Legislative action: Passed Senate 05/28/2025; passed House and returned to Senate in early June 2025.
  • Executive: Delivered to Governor 10/09/2025; signed into law 10/16/2025 and enacted as Chapter 479 of the Acts of 2025.

Limitations and scope

  • The amendment is narrowly worded to permit “running, walking, and to access swimming and snorkeling.” It does not expressly authorize other activities (e.g., vehicle access, camping, commercial uses, fishing, or overnight stays), which may remain subject to existing Chapter 91 rules and other state/local regulations.
  • Implementation details (e.g., boundaries, enforcement, exceptions for protected areas or safety zones) will rely on existing statutory frameworks, agency regulations, and potential case law.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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