S2627
An Act allowing the town of Somerset to prohibit water fluoridation
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- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill allows the town of Somerset, Massachusetts, to prohibit the practice of water fluoridation. The legislation grants the town the authority to decide whether or not to add fluoride to its public water supply. This decision would be made through a local vote, reflecting the town’s right to manage its own resources and public health policies. The bill’s passage signifies a local effort to control a public health measure.
Key provisions
- Allows the town of Somerset to prohibit water fluoridation.
- Decision to prohibit fluoride would be made through a local vote.
- Maintains local control over public water systems.
- Addresses a specific request from the town of Somerset.
- Does not mandate a specific action, but provides the authority to do so.
- Relates to public health and water management.
- Authorizes the town to determine its own water quality standards.
- Provides a mechanism for local communities to manage public health initiatives.
Who is affected
- Town of Somerset, Massachusetts
- Residents of Somerset
- Public water consumers in Somerset
- Local government in Somerset
- Public health officials in Somerset
Notable changes
- Currently, water fluoridation is often implemented at the state level, this bill shifts control to the local municipality.
- Provides a mechanism for local communities to challenge or modify state-level public health practices.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Michael J. Rodrigues
Cosponsors
Michael J. Rodrigues
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Bill S.2627 194th (Current)
An Act allowing the town of Somerset to prohibit water fluoridation
By Mr. Rodrigues and Mr. Thurber, of Somerset a joint petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2627) of Michael J. Rodrigues and Justin Thurber (by vote of the town) for legislation to allow the town of Somerset to prohibit water fluoridation. Public Health. [Local Approval Received.]
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Presenters: Michael J. Rodrigues , Justin Thurber Status: Referred to House Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling City/Town: Somerset (Local Approval Required)
Tabs
Bill History Petitioners Committee Vote Primary Sponsor Summary
Bill History
Displaying 9 actions for Bill S.2627
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 10/9/2025 | Senate | Referred to the committee on Public Health |
| 10/14/2025 | House | House concurred |
| 10/24/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 11/03/2025 from 09:00 AM-05:00 PM in Written Testimony Only |
| 3/19/2026 | Senate | Reporting date extended to Friday July 31, 2026 |
| 4/1/2026 | Senate | Bill reported favorably by committee and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session |
| 4/15/2026 | Senate | Read second and ordered to a third reading |
| 4/30/2026 | Senate | Taken out of the Orders of the Day |
| 4/30/2026 | Senate | Read third and passed to be engrossed |
| 5/4/2026 | House | Read; and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling |
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