Proposed legislation (S.445/H.845) in the 2023-24 state legislative session, (click bill numbers to see current sponsors), filed by Senator Jo Comerford and Representative Kathleen LaNatra, replaces the Commonwealth’s outdated and expensive mosquito management system with one that is more effective, affordable, transparent, ecologically responsible, and scientifically based.

The more emails (and calls!) that legislators receive from their constituents, the more likely they are to cosponsor a piece of legislation and the more likely that bill will advance through the legislative process.

Please use this form to contact your state legislators in support of:

Commonwealth to protect public health"

This legislation builds on the recommendations of the Mosquito Control for the 21st Century Task Force,
which called for modernization of mosquito control under a new framework to protect human health and enhance climate resilience.

The current system is greatly outdated and reform is urgently needed.

Recommendations contained in this bill include:

Policy Structure
❖ Repeal/Replace antiquated MGL Ch. 252.
❖ Revise structure and funding.

❖ MassDEP replaces DAR as supervising agency.
❖ Apply Integrated Pest  
Management (IPM).
❖ Establish science-based statewide Mosquito  
Management Plan.
❖ Provide low cost basic services to all municipalities, with additional services by local choice.
❖ Improve transparency and accountability.

Best Practices
❖ Provides for monitoring impacts and effectiveness of mosquito management measures.
❖ Requires menu of services  
available to municipalities not part of mosquito control districts.  
❖ Strengthens Task Force Best Management Practice
recommendations.
❖ Requires creation of an emergency arbovirus response plan for a
public health emergency.  
❖ Prohibits aerial spraying of pesticides (minority Task Force recommendation, supported by independent health experts).

Pesticide Selection

❖ Strengthens Task Force pesticide  
recommendations.
❖ Requires Board to work with scientists on effectiveness of  
mosquito program.
❖ Requires an annual, publicly available  
report.
❖ Prohibits use of any pesticide containing
PFAS.  

Local Engagement

❖ Strengthens Task Force Local Engagement recommendations.
❖ Focus on private property education; allow land owners to determine mosquito  
management / opt-out.
❖ Provides flexibility for any two municipalities to work together as a mosquito  
management district.
❖ Allows current Mosquito Control Districts to continue work through transition to newly formed mosquito  
management councils.

More info on the need to ecological mosquito control reform (find more resources on the Massquito Coalition resources page, hosted by NOFA/Mass.