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SD 2143

An Act to ban the use of tire-derived materials in playgrounds and playing fields in Massachusetts

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

The bill bans installing or maintaining any tire-derived materials in playground and playing-field surfaces in Massachusetts, with exemptions for pre-existing surfaces.

Placed on file
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Bill Summary · SD 2143

Summary: SD 2143 — An Act to ban the use of tire-derived materials in playgrounds and playing fields in Massachusetts

Basic bill information

  • Bill number: Senate Docket No. 2143 (SD 2143)
  • Title: An Act to ban the use of tire-derived materials in playgrounds and playing fields in Massachusetts
  • Introduced / Filed: January 21, 2025 (filed January 17, 2025)
  • Status: Placed on file
  • Sponsorship / Petition: Petition of Tracy Stewart
  • Chamber: Massachusetts Senate (193rd/194th General Court session referenced)

Purpose and intent

The bill seeks to prohibit the use of any tire-derived materials in the surfaces of playgrounds and playing fields across Massachusetts. The aim is to remove tire-derived materials from surfaces designed for children’s play and organized athletic activities, by banning their installation, construction, and maintenance in both new and existing facilities.

Key provisions

Section 1 — Definitions

  • Tire-derived materials: Any material produced from discarded tires, including but not limited to:
    • Tire crumb rubber
    • Ground tire rubber
    • Shredded tires
    • Rubberized asphalt
    • Recycled tire chips
    • Tire-derived aggregates
  • Playground: Any area designed for children’s play (schools, parks, residential playgrounds, childcare facilities, early childhood education centers, etc.).
  • Playing field: Any area used for athletic activities (e.g., baseball, soccer, football, and other sports).

Section 2 — Prohibition

  • Prohibits installing, constructing, or maintaining playground or playing field surfaces that contain tire-derived materials.
  • Applies to both new installations and the modification or maintenance of existing surfaces.

Section 3 — Exemption for existing surfaces

  • The ban does not apply to surfaces that were installed prior to the act’s effective date. Existing tire-derived surface installations would be exempt from removal under the act until the designated effective date.

Section 4 — Enforcement and guidance

  • Enforcement: The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the act.
  • Guidance: The Department of Public Health (DPH) would provide guidance and recommendations regarding safe alternative surfacing materials for playgrounds and playing fields.

Section 5 — Severability

  • If any provision is held invalid, the remainder of the act remains in effect to the extent it can be.

What would be affected

  • All playgrounds and playing fields across Massachusetts, including surfaces in schools, parks, residential areas, childcare facilities, and early childhood education centers.
  • Contractors and school/municipal park departments involved in installation, construction, or maintenance of surface materials.
  • State agencies: DEP would enforce; DPH would advise on safe alternatives.

Implementation considerations and timeline

  • The act references an effective date beyond which new restrictions apply; existing tire-derived surfaces installed before that date are exempt from the prohibition.
  • At present, no specific date is provided in the excerpt for when the act would become fully effective; the exemption applies to surfaces installed before the act’s effective date.

Legislative status

  • Placed on file by the Massachusetts Senate on January 21, 2025, continuing the legislative process for consideration.

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

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