16 Bills Signed Into MA Law: See The Full List

BEACON HILL, MA — The dog days of summer? Not exactly. Gov. Charlie Baker has signed 16 bills into law since July 27.

Don't worry, you likely aren't breaking any new major laws signed into effect without your knowledge. Some of them are relatively small-scale and pursuant to a specific municipality. But some carry a lot more weight.

We are providing some context or additional information for some of the new laws, but you can always click the bill number for more information right from the source. (Subscribe to your local Patch for more news.)

July 27

S1132 — Leominster authorized to pay a certain unpaid bill ($23,495.13).

H1809 — Bridge in Lanesborough designated as the Sergeant Gregory Aloysius Noonan Bridge. Noonan was a local hero in the Vietnam War in the late 1960s.

H1716 — May is designated as Seatbelt Awareness Month.

H3680 — The Massachusetts Pregnant Works Fairness Act is approved. The law makes it illegal for employers to not hire a woman because she is pregnant, and requires companies to make reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees at their request, including more frequent or longer paid or unpaid breaks, time off to recover from childbirth, a temporary transfer to less strenuous position, or access to a lactation room.

July 28

H3818 — An act to ensure safe access to marijuana. The law overhauled the marijuana legalization measure voters put on the books in November. "I don't support this," Baker said after signing the law in his office. "I worry terribly about what the consequences over time will be, and having spent a lot of time talking to folks in Colorado and in Washington and having talked to a lot of people who've talked to folks in Colorado and Washington, there are a lot of pitfalls that we need to work hard to avoid."

H208 — An act relative to simulcasting and racing. The legislation is associated with with gaming facilities in East Boston, Raynham and Plainville, enabling wagering on horse and dog races simulcast at Suffolk Downs, Raynham Park Simulcast Center, and Plainridge Park Casino to continue through July 31, 2018.

H3749 — An act protecting sunlight and promoting economic development in the City of Boston.

Aug. 1

H1697 — Making the first week in August Ice Bucket Challenge Week.

S1152 — Wareham authorized to lease certain land.

H3799 — Sean Fountain appointed as permanent intermittent police officer in Methuen.

S2111 — Sick leave bank established for David Banks, employee of Mass. trial court.

H3720 — Sick leave bank established for Justin Michael Rizzo, employee of executive office of labor and workforce development.

H3822 — Employer contributions to health care are further regulated.

H3731 — Act to reorganize the state's IT function to improve data security, safeguard privacy, and promote better service delivery.

Aug. 3

H3727 — Boston Police Department directed to waive maximum age requirement for Officer James Anthony Verderico, Jr.

H3734 — Sick leave bank established for David Senatillaka, employee of Department of Correction.

Patch file photo