An Act prohibiting anticoagulant rodenticides in the town of Lincoln

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Carmine Gentile and 1 co-sponsor

Lincoln could ban anticoagulant rodenticides within town limits, with a Board of Health exception for essential remediation, effective upon enactment.

Referred to the committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Summary of Bill: H 5522 (194th Massachusetts General Court)

Purpose and intent

This local act would allow the Town of Lincoln to prohibit the use of anticoagulant rodenticides within the town. The bill specifies that such prohibition could apply to all applications, including those carried out by licensed commercial applicators, with limited exception.

The overarching aim is to give Lincoln authority to regulate or ban anticoagulant rodent control products within its borders, potentially reducing environmental and public health concerns associated with these pesticides.

Key provisions

Section 1: Authorization for local prohibition

Notwithstanding any general or special law, Lincoln may adopt an ordinance that prohibits the application of anticoagulant rodenticides in the town.
The prohibition could cover all applications, including those by licensed commercial applicators (per 333 C.M.R 10.00), subject to an exception:
The Board of Health may permit application to remediate a public health condition. In such cases, remediation would be allowed if necessary to address a public health issue, presumably with accompanying oversight or conditions.

Section 2: Effective date

The act would take effect upon passage (i.e., once signed into law).

Who is affected

The Town of Lincoln would gain the authority to regulate or ban anticoagulant rodenticides within town boundaries.

Licensed pesticide applicators operating in Lincoln would be subject to the town's potential ordinance, with the noted exception for Board of Health-approved remedial actions.

Public health officials in Lincoln would have a role in determining when remediation is needed and permissible under the Board of Health’s determination.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The bill is a local approval measure; it requires passage by the General Court and, presumably, adoption by Lincoln through local ordinance.

The act would become effective immediately upon enactment.

Practical impact and considerations

Environmental and public health considerations: A local ban could reduce exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides for non-target wildlife, pets, and possibly humans, while raising questions about effectiveness and alternatives for rodent control.

Enforcement: The town would need to define enforcement mechanisms, compliance timelines, and any permissible exemptions beyond health remediation.

Precedent and coordination: Other municipalities might consider similar local actions; active communication with regional public health and environmental agencies would be important to align standards and enforcement.

Overall, H 5522 would empower Lincoln to prohibit anticoagulant rodenticides through ordinance, with a narrow exception for Board of Health-approved public health remediation, taking effect upon passage.