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HD 4935

An Act allowing "print-free" digital legal notices for the town of North Brookfield

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Donnie Berthiaume and 1 co-sponsor

Allows North Brookfield to publish legal notices digitally (websites or digital repositories) instead of requiring print notices.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 4935

Summary: Bill HD 4935 — An Act allowing "print-free" digital legal notices for the town of North Brookfield

Purpose

  • Authorizes the Town of North Brookfield to satisfy legal notice requirements entirely through digital publications, addressing the town’s lack of a suitable print newspaper.

Key Provisions

  • Section 1 — Purpose

    • Allows North Brookfield (including all boards and municipal officials) to meet legal notice obligations via digital publications instead of traditional print notices.

  • Section 2 — Process

    • Alternative posting methods may be used if approved by a majority vote of the public body responsible for the notice or at the discretion of the required municipal official.

  • Section 3 — Means of Publication

    • When a statute, bylaw, or judicial order requires legal notice, the notice may be published through one or more of:
    • (A) A print newspaper of local/general circulation; or
    • (B) A newspaper’s website; or
    • (C) Websites reporting local news/opinion that meet digital publication criteria (per G.L. c. 4 § 13(b)); or
    • (D) A statewide website maintained as a repository for notices; or
    • (E) A townwide website maintained as a repository for notices.
    • This section explicitly states that it may substitute for traditional print publication under the law.

  • Section 4 — Legal Timing Requirements

    • The act does not alter the timing requirements for publishing legal notices as dictated by general law, bylaw, or judicial order.

  • Section 5 — Effective Date

    • The act takes effect upon passage.

Who Is Affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: The Town of North Brookfield and its elected/appointed boards (Selectmen, School Committee, Planning Board, etc.), along with municipal officials responsible for posting notices.
  • Residents: Varying access implications (digital access required to view notices; potential impact for residents without reliable internet).
  • Local media landscape: Shifts in how notices are disseminated—emphasizing digital platforms (newspapers’ websites, local-news websites, statewide repositories, or townwide websites).

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The bill is a local-option measure specific to North Brookfield and requires approval by the appropriate public bodies.
  • It operates within the context of existing Massachusetts notice laws (notably Section 13(b) of G.L. c. 4) but provides digital pathways as valid substitutes with required approvals.
  • Effective date: upon passage.

Notes

  • The bill is identified as a proposed local option bill (HD 4935) with a stated aim to provide “print-free” digital legal notices, reflecting the town’s current lack of a suitable print newspaper.
  • Local approval is indicated as part of the bill’s process, signaling support at the municipal level for moving to digital notices.

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

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