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HD 6142

An Act authorizing the town of Groton to prohibit the use of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Margaret Scarsdale

Groton can enact local rules to regulate or prohibit the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides by certified applicators within the town.

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Bill Summary · HD 6142

Summary of Bill: HD 6142 (194th MA General Court)

Purpose and intent

  • The bill authorizes the town of Groton to regulate, by local bylaw or board of health regulation, the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) within Groton.
  • It explicitly allows Groton to prohibit the use of SGARs by a certified pesticide applicator, as defined in 333 C.M.R. 10.00.

Key provisions

  • Local authority to regulate: Notwithstanding general laws (including Chapter 132B) or any other law to the contrary, Groton may enact local rules to govern SGAR use.
  • Scope of regulation: Applies to the entire town of Groton.
  • Prohibited actors: The bylaw/regulation could prohibit the use of SGARs by certified pesticide applicators within Groton.
  • Legal mechanism: The regulation must be implemented through a local bylaw or board of health regulation adopted by Groton.
  • Effective date: The act takes effect upon passage.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Town of Groton and its residents.
  • Practitioners: Certified pesticide applicators operating within Groton would be subject to local prohibitions or regulatory requirements on SGAR use.
  • Public health/environmental interest groups: Potentially impacted by changes in rodenticide management practices.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Enabling legislation: The bill grants explicit local regulatory authority to Groton, overriding any conflicting general or special laws to enable SGAR regulation.
  • Effective date: Immediate upon the act’s passage (no separate sunset or phased timeline stated).

Practical implications and potential impact

  • Public health and environment: The ability to prohibit SGARs could reduce non-target animal health risks and environmental contamination associated with these poisons.
  • Local control: Groton gains discretionary power to tailor rodenticide use to local conditions without needing state-wide mandates.
  • Compliance considerations: Certified pesticide applicators working in Groton would need to comply with Groton’s local regulations, potentially shifting to alternative rodent control methods allowed by the bylaw.

Notes

  • This is a narrow, locality-specific bill focusing on granting Groton authority to regulate SGARs through local regulations, rather than imposing statewide restrictions.

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

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