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S 64

An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Phil Baruth and 18 co-sponsors

Expands pesticide prohibitions near schools to cover more properties and workers within 150 feet, and restricts products to EPA-exempt or National List pesticides.

Senate Message: Signed by Governor June 18, 2026
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Bill Summary · S 64

Summary — S.64 (Senate Docket No. 64) — "An Act relative to improving pesticide protections for Massachusetts schoolchildren"

Note on source material
- The packet provided contains mixed metadata from multiple, unrelated proposals (federal USPS/ZIP-code language and other bill headers). The legislative text reproduced in full and identified as "Senate Docket No. 473 / Senate No. 64" is a Massachusetts bill introduced by Senator Jason M. Lewis titled “An Act relative to improving pesticide protections for Massachusetts schoolchildren.” This summary focuses on that Massachusetts bill text.

Purpose / Intent

To strengthen protections against pesticide exposure for schoolchildren by expanding the locations and persons covered by existing restrictions on pesticide application near schools and related facilities, and by narrowing the types of pesticides that may be used by schools and similar programs.

Key provisions and changes

The bill amends Section 6C (and related provisions) of Chapter 132B of the Massachusetts General Laws as follows:

  • Expanded list of protected properties:

    • Adds to the definition of covered properties: property occupied by the Department of Children and Families, juvenile court facilities, Department of Youth Services facilities, and sports fields used by town youth teams.

  • Expanded spatial coverage:

    • Extends the statute’s coverage to include pesticide use on properties within 150 feet of the listed facilities, explicitly including abutters.

  • Terminology changes:

    • Inserts the words “or department” after occurrences of “school” to clarify coverage extends to departments (contextual editorial change).

  • Employer/contractor scope:

    • New subsection (d) specifies the law applies regardless of who hires the spraying party — public or private property owners, management companies, or other entities — making the duty and restrictions applicable even when pesticide application is outsourced.

  • Restriction on allowable pesticide products for certain institutions:

    • Schools, child care centers, public institutions of higher education, and school-age child care programs may only use pesticide products that:
    • Are classified by the U.S. EPA as an exempt material under 40 C.F.R. §152.25; or
    • Contain active ingredients only from the National List at 7 C.F.R. §205.601.
    • Provides for discretionary hardship waivers granted by the department (presumably the Department of Agricultural Resources or another designated agency) allowing use of other pesticides when warranted.

Who would be affected

  • Directly affected:

    • Public and private K–12 schools, child care centers, public institutions of higher education, school-age child care programs.
    • Facilities operated by Department of Children and Families, juvenile courts, Department of Youth Services.
    • Town youth sports fields and abutting properties within 150 feet.
    • Property owners, school districts, facility managers, pest control contractors, and management companies responsible for pesticide application.

  • Indirectly affected:

    • Vendors and applicators of non-exempt pesticides previously used at or near covered properties.
    • Parents, students, staff, and neighboring residents within the expanded 150-foot zone.

Procedural status (as provided)

  • Filed as Senate Docket No. 64 (Massachusetts), presented by Senator Jason M. Lewis.
  • Referred to committee(s): Agriculture (and, in other metadata, references to Codes and Agriculture & Fisheries appear). A hearing was scheduled (7/9/2025 in one entry).
  • Dates in packet show multiple referral and scheduling actions in 2025; readers should consult the Massachusetts Legislature’s official docket for up-to-date status.

Notable implementation details / gaps

  • The text does not specify an effective date; standard rulemaking/enactment timelines would apply unless otherwise inserted.
  • The “department” responsible for administering waivers and enforcement is not explicitly named in the excerpt; likely to be the state agency that currently enforces Chapter 132B (confirm in full bill or legislative report).
  • The bill narrows allowable pesticides to EPA-exempt materials or substances on the USDA National Organic Program’s National List (7 C.F.R. 205.601), which would materially limit conventional pesticide options used by schools unless a waiver is granted.

Recommendation

  • Because the packet contains mixed metadata, verify the bill text and current status on the Massachusetts Legislature’s website (Senate Docket No. 64 / 194th General Court) before relying on this summary for decision-making or advocacy.

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

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