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H 4152

An Act granting the city of Medford the authority to require the adoption of institutional master plans subject to the review and approval by the municipality

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Christine Barber and 3 co-sponsors

Medford may require hospitals, colleges, and nonprofits to adopt multi-year institutional master plans and submit them to city review and approval.

Accompanied a study order, see H5120
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Bill Summary · H 4152

Summary of H.4152: An Act granting the city of Medford the authority to require the adoption of institutional master plans subject to the review and approval by the municipality

Purpose

  • Authorizes the City of Medford to require certain large institutions to adopt an institutional master plan and to review and approve those plans at the municipal level.
  • Seeks to promote coordinated, predictable development for major institutional facilities within Medford.

Key Provisions

  • Section 1 – Purpose and definition:
    • Establishes that an institutional master plan is a land-use and development plan for all land owned or used by an institution within a community.
    • The plan identifies growth and development over multiple years or phases.
    • The master plan serves as a tool to ensure community strategies and development impacts are addressed, while providing predictable outcomes for planned growth.
  • Section 2 – Local authority:
    • Notwithstanding G. L. c. 40A, § 3 or other applicable law, Medford is authorized to adopt local legislation imposing institutional master plan review.
    • The review is intended to regulate land use or structures for land owned, leased, or otherwise occupied by hospitals, health care institutions, colleges, universities, and non-profit educational corporations.
  • Section 3 – Effective date:
    • The act takes effect upon passage.

Scope and Entities Affected

  • Affects institutions within Medford that own, lease, or occupy land or structures, specifically:
    • Hospitals and health care institutions
    • Colleges and universities
    • Non-profit educational corporations
  • Applies to the development and land-use planning for these institutions through mandatory local master plans and municipal review/approval.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Status:
    • Introduced May 22, 2025.
    • Referred to the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government (House Docket No. 4731; House No. 4152).
    • Senate concurrences occurred May 27, 2025.
  • Hearings:
    • Scheduled hearings noted for July 22, 2025 (B-1).
  • Reporting date:
    • Extended multiple times, currently extended to Wednesday, December 17, 2025.
  • Related bill:
    • HD 4731 (replaces).

Sponsors

  • Primary: Christine P. Barber (Somerville)
  • Co-sponsors: Sean Garballey, Paul J. Donato, Patricia D. Jehlen

Potential Impact

  • Local regulatory framework enabling Medford to require long-range planning for major institutions.
  • Could influence timing, scale, and method of campus and facility expansion.
  • May increase planning transparency and community coordination, while imposing additional review requirements on affected institutions.

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

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