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H 4244

An Act authorizing the town of Hingham to utilize alternative methods for publication of legal notices

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Joan Meschino

Allows Hingham to publish legal notices by alternative methods: on-site displays and/or the town website or a local newspaper, reducing reliance on traditional newspapers.

Read second and ordered to a third reading
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Bill Summary · H 4244

Summary: H 4244 — An Act authorizing the town of Hingham to utilize alternative methods for publication of legal notices

Overview

H 4244 would authorize the town of Hingham to publish legally required notices through alternative methods rather than exclusively in a newspaper of general circulation. The bill creates a local option allowing the town to use a combination of traditional and digital methods, including online publication and on-site displays, while remaining subject to other applicable laws. This is a local authorization specific to Hingham and does not mandate changes for other municipalities.

Key Provisions

  • Section 1 — Authority to use alternatives
    Notwithstanding any general or special law or town by-law to the contrary, when a legal notice is required to be published in a newspaper of general circulation, Hingham may publish the notice by alternative means described in Section 2.

  • Section 2 — Approved alternative methods
    Hingham may publish a legal notice on:

    • A bulletin board or electronic visual display outside the town clerk’s office, and
    • One of the following formats: 1) In a local newspaper (electronic or paper format), or 2) On the town’s website.
    • For this section, “website” means the official website operated and maintained by the town’s municipal government.

  • Section 3 — Effective date
    The act takes effect upon its passage.

Effect and Scope

  • The bill provides a local option for Hingham to diversify how legal notices are published, potentially reducing reliance solely on traditional print newspapers.
  • The alternative methods are in addition to, not a replacement for, existing statutory requirements, and are allowed “notwithstanding” other laws or by-laws.
  • The approach is local-specific; it does not mandate statewide changes.

Affected Parties

  • Primary: Town of Hingham, including the Town Clerk’s office, and residents who rely on notices.
  • Secondary: Local newspapers, local advertisers, and digital readers accessing the town’s website or public displays.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction and Sponsorship: Introduced June 30, 2025; Joint petition by Rep. Joan Meschino and Sen. Patrick M. O’Connor.
  • Committee Activity:
    • Hearing scheduled for July 22, 2025.
    • Reported favorably by the committee and referred to House Steering, Policy and Scheduling (as of August 4, 2025).
  • House Actions:
    • July–August 2025: Bill moves through committee process; reported favorably.
    • August 28, 2025: Committee reported “to be placed in the Orders of the Day” for next sitting; rules suspended; read second and ordered to a third reading.
  • Senate Actions: The Senate concurred on July 3, 2025.
  • Current Status: Read second and ordered to a third reading (as of late August 2025).

Related Legislative Activity

  • Related Bill: HD 4846 (replaces) accompanying House No. 4244.
  • This bill’s approval would authorize Hingham to implement the described alternative publication methods, subject to subsequent action as part of the normal legislative process.

If enacted, Hingham could implement a mix of traditional newspaper publication, on-site digital displays, and online publication via the town website for legal notices, with the specific method to be chosen by the town under the bill’s framework.

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

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