H 4853 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act protecting our soil, farms and food from PFAS contamination

This bill requires Massachusetts to investigate sewage sludge management due to PFAS contamination found in all wastewater treatment plants. The Department of Environmental Protection must study current disposal methods, costs, and locations (like landfills or incinerators), then create a public master plan with goals for reducing sludge toxicity and volume. The plan will prioritize funding and technical help for wastewater facilities, especially in underserved communities, and include new grant programs to support cleaner treatment technologies. Farmers are granted immunity from lawsuits over PFAS in soil/products from standard practices, unless they produced or spread PFAS-containing materials like biosolids. The bill mandates regular public updates and plan revisions every 10 years to address evolving science and infrastructure needs.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Dec 31, 2025 Last action Dec 31, 2025
Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
3
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Dec 31, 2025
Lower · Passed
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
lower
Dec 31, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported from the committee on Agriculture and Fisheries
lower
0 primary · 35 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.