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Bill

S 2352

Relates to enacting the New York deforestation protection act

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Kevin Parker

Mass. Move Over Law expanded to require drivers to change lanes or slow for utility crews and disabled vehicles on shoulders, protecting workers and stranded motorists.

REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
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Bill Summary · S 2352

Bill summary — S 2352 (as presented)

Note up front: the metadata provided for S 2352 (title referencing a New York deforestation act, sponsors from other jurisdictions, and committee assignments) conflicts with the bill text included. The bill text is for a Massachusetts measure (Senate Docket No. 1056 / Senate No. 2352, filed 1/15/2025) amending the Massachusetts "Move Over" law to explicitly cover utility and disabled vehicles. This summary focuses on the substantive text of the bill as provided and flags the metadata inconsistencies at the end.

Short title / intent

The bill amends Section 7C of Chapter 89 of the Massachusetts General Laws (the Move Over Law). Its intent is to extend the Move Over Law’s protections so motorists must move over and/or slow down for utility vehicles and disabled vehicles, in addition to the categories already protected.

Key provisions

  • Adds two new definitions to Section 7C (inserted after the definition of “Recovery vehicle”):
    • "Utility vehicle" — a vehicle being used to install, maintain, repair, operate or restore communications service, electric or gas distribution or transmission service in an emergency, operated by an employee of or a contractor to a communications or electric distribution/transmission company (as defined elsewhere in statute).
    • "Disabled vehicle" — any nonemergency vehicle that is stationary and located on the shoulder or breakdown lane of a roadway or highway.
  • Amends subsection (b) of Section 7C in two places to insert “utility vehicle or disabled vehicle” immediately after existing references to “maintenance vehicle.” This expands the list of vehicle types to which Move Over requirements apply.

Practical effect / who is affected

  • Motorists: Drivers on Massachusetts roadways would be required to take Move Over actions (change lanes when safe or slow to a safe speed) for utility vehicles working on emergency repairs and for disabled vehicles on shoulders/breakdown lanes, in addition to the existing protected vehicle types.
  • Utility workers and contractors: Employees or contractors performing emergency repairs for communications, electric, or gas transmission/distribution companies would receive explicit legal protection under the Move Over law, intended to reduce roadside injuries and fatalities.
  • Occupants of disabled vehicles and first responders/recovery operators: These groups should benefit from additional legal protection and potentially reduced roadside incidents.
  • Employers / utilities: Companies whose crews work roadside may have improved safety protections; they may also need to ensure vehicles display appropriate markings to identify them as utility vehicles in emergencies.

Enforcement, penalties, and implementation

  • The provided text amends definitions and the scope of subsection (b); it does not itself change the enforcement mechanism or penalties already established elsewhere in Section 7C. Those existing enforcement provisions (fines, citations, etc.) would apply as expanded by the scope changes.
  • No effective date or fiscal estimates are included in the text provided.

Procedural status and timeline (from the record provided)

  • Bill text filed as Massachusetts Senate No. 2352 / Docket No. 1056 on 1/15/2025 (sponsored by Senator Brendan P. Crighton; captioned “An Act relative to the Move Over Law”).
  • The provided legislative action log includes multiple entries and some inconsistencies: referrals to Transportation and Environmental Conservation committees, a scheduled hearing (6/3/2025), read twice and referred on 7/17/2025, and other cross-references (S2547, SD 1056, S5125). Because these entries mix dates and committees, consult the official legislative website (Massachusetts General Court) or the relevant state legislature for the authoritative status and next steps.

Notes on metadata inconsistencies

  • The top-line title (“Relates to enacting the New York deforestation protection act”), sponsors (U.S. Senators Katie Britt, John Boozman), and some committee assignments appear to come from a different jurisdiction or bill. The body text included is clearly a Massachusetts Senate bill about the Move Over Law.
  • Recommendation: Verify S 2352 on the official legislative website of the relevant state (Massachusetts General Court) or the body that issued the S 2352 identifier to confirm the correct title, sponsor list, actions, and current status.

If you want, I can:
- Pull the authoritative status from the Massachusetts legislative database (if you provide access or confirm Massachusetts is the correct jurisdiction), or
- Draft a one-paragraph explainer for motorists on how behavior would change if this bill is enacted.

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

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