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HD 6213

An Act allowing 'print free' digital legal notices for the town of Wayland

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by David Linsky

Allows Wayland to publish legal notices digitally (with local votes), selecting at least two digital/print channels, instead of requiring traditional newspapers.

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Bill Summary · HD 6213

Overview

  • Bill: HD 6213, 194th Massachusetts General Court
  • Title: An Act allowing 'print free' digital legal notices for the town of Wayland
  • Sponsors: David Paul Linsky and James B. Eldridge (Co-sponsor: David Linsky)
  • Filed: June 4, 2026
  • Purpose: Permit (but do not require) the Town of Wayland and its subdivisions to satisfy legal notice requirements entirely through digital publication, as determined by local vote.

Objective and Intent

  • Modernize legal notice publication to reflect changes in local news and digital media.
  • Allow Wayland, its schools, and subdivisions to publish legally required notices via digital channels instead of or in addition to traditional print newspapers.
  • Preserve the ability of local authorities to choose among multiple digital and print options, subject to local votes.

Key Provisions

  • Section 1: Legislative finding that Wayland may satisfy legal notice requirements entirely by digital publication if voted necessary by its Select Board.
  • Section 2: Expands acceptable channels for legal notices beyond print newspapers to include:
    • A print newspaper (local or general circulation)
    • A newspaper’s website
    • Websites reporting local news and opinion that meet criteria for digital publication
    • A statewide website maintained as a repository for notices
    • A town-wide website maintained as a repository for notices
  • Section 3:
    • A. For Town of Wayland boards and officials (e.g., Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission, Town Manager, Town Clerk, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Building Commissioner), the Select Board must determine at least two of the Section 2 publication methods by majority vote.
    • B. For Wayland Public School boards/committees, the School Committee must determine at least two publication methods by majority vote.
    • C. Both the Select Board and School Committee may revisit and change their chosen methods by majority vote.
  • Section 4: The Act does not alter the timing requirements for legal notices as specified by existing General Laws.
  • Section 5: Takes effect upon passage.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Town of Wayland and its subdivisions, including:
    • Wayland boards, commissions, and officials (e.g., Town Manager, Town Clerk, police/fire officials, planning/zoning bodies)
    • Wayland Public Schools and related committees/officials
  • Local legal notices would be eligible for digital publication through designated channels if approved by the relevant local governing bodies.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Local option framework: Key decisions occur via majority votes of the Select Board (for town entities) and School Committee (for school entities).
  • Adoption process: Requires a vote by the respective bodies to designate at least two permissible digital/print notice channels.
  • Effective date: Immediate upon passage (no separate delay; takes effect as enacted).

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Access and equity: Digital notices could improve speed and reach but may raise concerns about accessibility for residents without reliable digital access.
  • Cost and efficiency: Digital publication may reduce printing/distribution costs and simplify notice management for town and school officials.
  • Public awareness: Requires clear processes to ensure notices remain accessible and verifiable, including archival repositories (statewide or town websites) as designated.
  • Transition: Local boards must coordinate to implement the new publication methods and update official practices without changing publication timing.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparative note relating this approach to existing Massachusetts law on legal notices (chapter 4, section 13) and typical requirements for newspaper publication.

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

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