In order to assist you in your emergency preparedness efforts, we have compiled some useful information. We will continue to update this information as necessary and appropriate, particularly in light of any new legislative, judicial, or administrative agency action(s).
Latest News and Alerts
7/15/22 – Open Meeting Law Legislative Update as of July 14, 2022
7/13/22 – Open Meeting Law Legislative Update – Practical Considerations
4/6/22 – Outdoor Table Service and Alcohol To Go Extension
3/9/22 – Eligible Uses of ARPA Funding – Updated
3/3/22 – Pandemic-Related Legal Updates
11/15/21 – Eligible Uses of ARPA Funding
10/6/21 – Extension of Massachusetts Emergency Paid Sick Leave
9/10/21 – U.S. Supreme Court Denies Further Extension of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Temporary Moratorium on Evictions
8/4/21 – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Extends Temporary Moratorium For Sixty Days
7/8/21 – SCOTUS Leaves in Place Temporary Moratorium on Evictions through July 31, 2021
6/18/21 – Massachusetts COVID Emergency Paid Sick Leave
6/17/21 – Governor Signs Legislation Extending Certain Pandemic-Related Relief Provisions
6/14/21 – FOLLOW UP to Implications of the Rescission of the State of Emergency
6/7/21 – Implications of the Rescission of the State of Emergency
5/25/21 – Current Issues Regarding Alcohol Licensing
3/29/21 – Revised Capacity Limits for Public Meetings/Hearings
3/22/21 – Reminder: Phase IV, Step 1 of Governor Baker’s Reopening Plan Starts Today
2/26/21 – Notices to Quit and Eviction Actions Updated
2/26/21 – Governor Announces Transition in Reopening Plan for all Municipalities
2/5/2021 – COVID-19 Capacity Restrictions Adjusted Effective Monday, February 8, 2021
2/1/2021 – New Requirements for Notice to Quit for Non-Payment of Rent and Changes to the Summary Process Rules and Procedures
2/1/2021 – Housing Choice Act of 2020 Update
1/22/2021 – Announcement of Temporary Revisions to COVID-19 Safety Measures – Updated
1/8/2021 – Announcement of Temporary Revisions to COVID-19 Safety Measures
12/29/2020 – Expiration of Families First Coronavirus Response Act Paid Leave Provisions
12/24/2020 – Governor Announces Temporary Revisions to COVID-19 Measures Effective December 26, 2020
12/17/2020 – Labor and Employment Issues Concerning the COVID-19 Vaccine
12/16/2020 – Desrosiers v. Baker Important Supreme Judicial Court Decision Upholding Governor’s Authority During the COVID-19 State of Emergency
11/16/2020 – Important Update on Time Frame for Action on Land Use Applications
11/12/2020 – Governor Signs New Executive Orders Relative to COVID-19 (Updated 11/12/20)
8/7/2020 – Governor Baker Issues Updated Gatherings Order, Effective Tuesday August 11, 2020
7/31/2020 – Implementation of Governor Baker’s Post-Travel Quarantine Order, effective August 1, 2020
6/1/2020 – Governor’s Order on Outdoor Dining
ABCC Advisory LLA and Outdoor Seating
ABCC Patio Guidelines
5/18/2020 – Executive Order – COVID-19 Order No. 33 (Re: Phased Reopening Plan)
5/18/2020 – Beaches Guidance for Managers
5/11/2020 – Remote Fulfillment and Additional Guidance for Dealerships and Golf Courses
Elections
3/30/2020 – Chapter 45 of the Acts of 2020
3/19/2020 – Postponement of Local Elections
3/13/2020 – Postponing Town Elections
3/13/2020 – Sample Letter to Governor Re: Special Act to Postpone Elections
3/13/2020 – Sample Special Legislation to Postpone Election (Single Municipality)
3/13/2020 – Sample Special Legislation to Postpone Election (All Municipalities)
General Municipal/Other
6/6/2020 – Latest Municipal Relief Legislation
H4777
5/11/2020 – Remote Fulfillment and Additional Guidance for Dealerships and Golf Courses
4/28/2020 – Electronic Signatures and Virtual Notarization
4/22/2020 –Legislature Passes Mortgage Foreclosure and Eviction Moratorium
Chapter 65 of the Acts of 2020
4/3/2020 – Municipal Relief Legislation Passed by State Legislature
4/3/2020 – An Act to Address Challenges by Municipalities and State Authorities Resulting from COVID-19
3/23/2020 – Revised Guidance Regarding The Order By The Governor Prohibiting Assemblages Of More Than 10 People And On-premises Consumption Of Food And Beverages
3/23/2020 – COVID-19 Essential Services
3/23/2020 – COVID-19 Executive Order
3/16/2020 – Sample Declaration of Emergency
3/16/2020 – Recent State Level Responses to COVID-19
3/11/2020 – Considerations for Municipalities and Government Entities Implicated by Novel Coronavirus COVID-19
Emergency Powers of Municipalities (Updated 2020)
3/3/2020 – Coronavirus Legal Resources for Public Entities
Labor and Employment
12/29/2020 – Expiration of Families First Coronavirus Response Act Paid Leave Provisions
12/17/2020 – Labor and Employment Issues Concerning the COVID-19 Vaccine
7/31/2020 – Implementation of Governor Baker’s Post-Travel Quarantine Order, effective August 1, 2020
3/21/2020 – COVID-19 Employment and Labor Law
Land Use/Permitting
11/16/2020 – Important Update on Time Frame for Action on Land Use Applications4/3/2020 – Land Use Permitting Deadline Extensions
4/3/2020 – Updated: Land Use Permitting FAQ
Open Meeting Law/Public Records Law
3/21/2020 – COVID-19 Open Meeting Law and Public Records Law Implications
3/16/2020 – Implementation of Governor’s Order on Open Meeting Law
3/13/2020 – Governor Baker Issues Order Temporarily Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law
3/12/2020 – Signed Open Meeting Law Order
Public Health and Safety
3/11/2020 – Guidance for Boards of Health Re: COVID-19
Schools
4/22/2020 – Governor Extends School and Day Care Closure Orders
COVID-19 Order No. 27 (Child Care Programs)
COVID-19 Order No. 28 (Temporary School Closure)
4/15/2020 – Chapter 56 of the Acts of 2020 (Additional Municipal Relief Legislation)
Town Meetings
5/5/2020 – Senate Bill 2680 – Implications for Town Meetings and More
5/5/2020 – S2680
4/3/2020 – Updated: Process for Continuing Town Meeting (Updated 2020)