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S 2150

Requires primary care physicians to post information detailing how parents or guardians of children can subscribe to the US consumer product safety commission's e-mail subscription lists

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Leroy Comrie

Prohibits MA government software licenses from restricting hardware choices, reducing vendor lock-in and boosting procurement flexibility for state and local bodies.

REFERRED TO HEALTH
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Bill Summary · S 2150

Summary — S 2150: "An Act providing for software licensing fairness"

Note: The bill text provided for S 2150 concerns software-licensing limits for Massachusetts governmental bodies. The header information in your request (a different title about primary care physicians/CPSC subscriptions and an extensive list of U.S. Senate cosponsors) conflicts with the Massachusetts bill text and docket information. This summary follows the bill text filed in the Massachusetts Senate docket (No. 2150 / SD 2231) titled “An Act providing for software licensing fairness.” See the "Data notes" section below for inconsistencies.

Purpose / Intent

To prevent software license terms from restricting a Massachusetts governmental body’s choice of hardware for running or installing licensed software. The aim is to reduce vendor-imposed hardware lock‑in and preserve procurement flexibility for state and local government entities.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new Section 12, “Fair software licensing,” to Chapter 7D of the Massachusetts General Laws.
    • (a) Prohibits a contract for licensing software applications (intended to be installed by a governmental body and designed to run on generally available desktop or server hardware) from limiting the governmental body’s ability to install or run the software on the hardware of that governmental body’s choosing.
    • (b) Authorizes the Secretary of Technology Services and Security to promulgate regulations or issue administrative directives to implement the section.
  • Effective date: Section 1 applies to any contract or addendum for licensing software applications entered into on or after the act’s effective date.

Who would be affected

  • Governmental bodies in Massachusetts that license software intended for standard desktop or server hardware (state agencies, municipalities, certain public authorities).
  • Software vendors and contractors who license software to Massachusetts governmental bodies—contract terms that attempt to restrict installation to vendor-approved hardware would be unenforceable as to these governmental customers.
  • IT procurement staff, legal teams, and the Secretary of Technology Services and Security (charged with rulemaking/administration).

Potential impact and considerations

  • Increases procurement flexibility and can reduce vendor lock‑in, strengthening interoperability and potentially lowering costs by allowing agencies to choose hardware.
  • May shift how vendors price or structure licenses (e.g., charging per-instance fees, support contracts linked to particular hardware).
  • Enforcement details are not specified in the statute itself; implementation and enforcement mechanisms would likely be clarified through regulations or administrative directives by the Secretary.
  • Could produce contractual disputes during the transition as existing contract language is reconciled with the new rule for contracts entered after the effective date.

Procedural / timeline information

  • Filed in the Massachusetts Senate docket (Senate Docket No. 2231) and marked Senate No. 2150.
  • Introduced and read twice (filed 01/17/2025 per docket header; legislative action entries include introduction dates in 2025 and committee referrals). Current status in the materials provided: REFERRED TO HEALTH; also listed as read and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary and later reported favorably and referred to Senate Ways & Means. Several hearings were scheduled in July 2025.
  • The bill states Section 1 applies to contracts or addenda entered on or after the act’s effective date (unspecified).

Data notes / inconsistencies

  • The bill text and docket indicate a Massachusetts state bill about software licensing. However:
    • The initial title you supplied (requiring primary care physicians to post information about CPSC e-mail subscriptions) does not match the bill text.
    • The listed sponsors are mostly U.S. Senators (federal), which is inconsistent with a Massachusetts state Senate bill.
    • Legislative action dates in the provided list conflict in order and content with the docket filing date.
  • Recommendation: verify source records (Massachusetts legislative site or the bill sponsor’s office) to confirm the correct title, sponsor(s), and current procedural status before using the summary for formal reporting.

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

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