Bill
H 2652
Requires sites that store or sell motor vehicle batteries to prominently post notices for the public and first responders; violations incur $250 civil fines.
Purpose and intent
- Establish a safeguard requirement to inform the public and first responders about the presence of motor vehicle batteries at premises where batteries are stored, sold, or managed.
- Target improved safety and readiness in situations involving accidents, fires, or other emergencies at facilities handling motor vehicle batteries.
Key provisions
- Insertion of new Section 59B into Chapter 140 (after Section 59A):
- Scope: Applies to
- Holders of Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 licenses under Section 58;
- Owners/operators of motor vehicle repair shops registered under Chapter 100A;
- Owners/operators of junkyards or automobile graveyards as defined in Chapter 140B, Section 1;
- Any person or entity that sells or stores motor vehicle batteries.
- Duty: Each covered entity must prominently display notice to the public and first responders about the presence of motor vehicle batteries on the premises.
- Penalty: Violation subjects the violator to a civil penalty of $250.
- No explicit guidance in the text on notice format or exact placement beyond the term “prominently.”
Who is impacted
- Vehicle repair facilities (registered under Chapter 100A)
- Junkyards and automobile graveyards (as defined in Chapter 140B)
- License holders under Chapter 58
- Battery retailers and storage operators not otherwise excluded
- First responders and the general public (as beneficiaries of the notice)
Enforcement and penalties
- Civil penalty of $250 for each violation of Section 59B.
- The bill articulates a straightforward penalty structure but does not specify per-incident versus per-location application beyond “violation.”
Legislative history and status
- Introduced: February 27, 2025
- Filed: January 14, 2025 (House Docket No. 1000)
- Primary sponsor: Rep. Michael P. Kushmerek (Fitchburg)
- Committee actions (selected timeline):
- February 27, 2025: Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
- April 7, 2025: Hearing scheduled (April 9, 2025)
- July 24, 2025: Reported favorably by committee; referred to House Steering, Policy and Scheduling
- August 21, 2025: Committee reported; placed in Orders of the Day; Rules suspended; Read second and ordered to a third reading
- Related matters: Similar bill previously filed in 2023-2024 (HD 2354)
Implementation notes
- The bill does not specify an effective date or transitional period; if enacted, the notice requirement would take effect per the bill’s final provisions (not shown in the text provided).
- The requirement is broad in scope, covering multiple license types and storage/sales operations, potentially affecting a wide range of facilities that handle motor vehicle batteries.
Overall impact
- Aims to enhance public safety and emergency response effectiveness by ensuring visible, ongoing notification of battery presence at relevant facilities.
- Introduces a standardized civil penalty to reinforce compliance.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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