Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H5603: An Act authorizing “print-free” digital legal notices for the town of Stow
Status: In committee, October 5, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, July 23, 2026:
SECTION 1. Notwithstanding subsection (b) of section 13 of chapter 4 of the General Laws, wherever the town of Stow or its subdivisions, committees, boards, commissions or offices are required by statute, ordinance, by-law or judicial order to publish a legal notice in a newspaper or newspaper of general circulation, such requirement may be met through 1 or more of the following means: (i) a print newspaper of local or general circulation; (ii) the website of a newspaper of local or general circulation; (iii) websites reporting local news and opinion that satisfy all criteria for digital publication as set forth in subsection (c) of said section 13 of said chapter 4; (iv) a statewide website that is maintained as a repository for such notices; or (v) a town-wide website that is maintained as a repository for such notices. SECTION 2. Nothing set forth in this act shall be construed to alter or amend the time or timing of publication of legal notices set forth in the General Laws. SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Sponsors
- Kate Hogan (D, 3rd Middlesex) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Read second and ordered to a third reading
- : Rules suspended
- : Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting
- : Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling
- : Hearing scheduled for 09/21/2026 from 10:00 AM-05:00 PM in Written Testimony Only
- : Senate concurred
- : Referred to the committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
Votes
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government (September 30, 2026): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is H5603?
- H5603 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act authorizing “print-free” digital legal notices for the town of Stow.
- What is the status of H5603?
- In committee as of October 5, 2026. Latest action: Read second and ordered to a third reading (October 5, 2026).
- Who sponsored H5603?
- Kate Hogan (D, 3rd Middlesex).
- Where is the official record for H5603?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H5603
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.