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S 609

Jim Roberts and Good Shepherd Clinic

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Danny Verdin

Massachusetts hotels may not provide hospitality toiletries in small plastic bottles (<12 oz); they must switch to bulk, refillable, or alternative packaging starting Jan 1, 2027.

Introduced and adopted
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 609

Summary — S.609 (Print 609A) — Massachusetts Hotel Packaging Reduction Act

Note on sources: The materials provided contain inconsistent headings (other bill titles and sponsors). This summary is based on the bill text included in the docket labeled Senate No. 609 (filed 1/15/2025) titled “An Act prohibiting hotels from providing plastic‑packaged toiletries” (the Massachusetts Hotel Packaging Reduction Act). Where legislative history appears inconsistent, that is noted at the end.

Purpose

To reduce single‑use plastic waste by prohibiting hotels in Massachusetts from providing hospitality personal care products in small single‑use plastic bottles, encouraging the use of bulk, refillable, or alternative packaging.

Key provisions

  • Establishes a new Chapter 21P of the Massachusetts General Laws, “Massachusetts Hotel Packaging Reduction Act.”
  • Definitions:
    • “Department” means the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
    • “Hotel” includes buildings regularly used for lodging, including apartment hotels, motels, boarding houses.
    • “Hospitality personal care product” includes items provided by a hotel for application to the body for cleansing/conditioning/moisturizing (e.g., shampoo, conditioner, lotion, liquid soap).
    • “Small plastic bottle” means a plastic container with capacity less than 12 ounces.
  • Prohibition: Hotels shall not provide any hospitality personal care product packaged in a small plastic bottle (< 12 oz).
  • Enforcement and penalties:
    • DEP enforces the Act.
    • Violations receive a warning notice with 30 days to cure.
    • If a hotel fails to correct after a warning: civil penalty of $250 for the first post‑warning violation; $500 for any subsequent violation in the same calendar year.
    • A hearing or opportunity to be heard must be provided before assessing any civil penalty.
  • Effective date: January 1, 2027.

Who is affected

  • All hotels operating in Massachusetts (including motels, boarding houses, apartment hotels).
  • Hotel suppliers and manufacturers of small plastic toiletry bottles.
  • Potential secondary impacts on housekeeping operations, procurement, and guest services.

Timeline & legislative status (from docket)

  • Filed/Presented: 1/15/2025 (Senate Docket No. 872 / Senate No. 609).
  • Referred to Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (and other docket entries show additional referrals and actions; see Notes).
  • Hearing scheduled May 6, 2025 (per docket).
  • Print number 609A issued 5/30/2025.
  • Effective date in bill: January 1, 2027 (if enacted).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Environmental: Likely reduction in single‑use plastic waste from hospitality sector; supports statewide waste reduction goals.
  • Operational/cost: Hotels may incur upfront costs switching to bulk dispensers, refillable systems, alternative packaging, and training. Cost will vary by property size and guest expectations.
  • Health/sanitation and accessibility: Implementation should consider infection‑control practices and accessibility (e.g., single‑use options for allergen control or medical needs). The bill contains no explicit exemptions for health or disability needs.
  • Enforcement: DEP will need guidance and resources to inspect, issue notices, and adjudicate penalties.
  • Market effects: Suppliers may shift to larger sized plastics, aluminum, glass, or refillable dispenser products; potential for new business opportunities in sustainable hospitality products.

Notes on inconsistencies

The provided packet includes unrelated text (a BRAVE Act table of contents and sponsors such as Richard Blumenthal and Jeanne Shaheen) and multiple committee referrals including Veterans’ Affairs. Those items do not match the Massachusetts lodging packaging bill text summarized above and likely reflect merged or misfiled documents. This summary focuses solely on the Massachusetts Hotel Packaging Reduction Act language in Senate No. 609.

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

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