House Passes Mosquito Control Bill Amid EEE Reemergence

Boston - Representative David P. Linsky (D-Natick) joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives to pass legislation that will equip the Commonwealth to effectively combat illnesses such as Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus. An Act to mitigate arbovirus in the Commonwealth, was passed unanimously in the House by a vote of 158-0.

Highlights of the bill include:

• Permits the State Reclamation and Mosquito Control Board to engage in mosquito prevention.
• Permits management and eradication in any area of the Commonwealth upon a determination by the Department of Public Health that an elevated risk of arbovirus exists.
• The Mosquito Control Board must provide 48-hour notice of any mosquito control activities to the public, local and regional boards and commissions.
• Creates a process for municipalities to opt-out of mosquito control activities if they have a DPH-approved plan.
• Establishes a task force to study mosquito control efforts in Massachusetts.

“I was proud to join my colleagues in voting to pass comprehensive EEE legislation during a time when health and safety are at the utmost importance in the Commonwealth” said Representative Linsky. “I want to thank Speaker DeLeo and Chair Mahoney for all their hard work on this very urgent legislation.”

An Act to mitigate arbovirus in the Commonwealth now moves back to the Senate.

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