Massachusetts General Laws
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 4, § 4 (2026)
Mode of acceptance of statute by municipality or district
✓ text as last checked Sept. 2026 (this copy records no edition or section history)
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Section 4. Wherever a statute is to take effect upon its acceptance by a municipality or district, or is to be effective in municipalities or districts accepting its provisions, this acceptance shall be, except as otherwise provided in that statute, in a municipality, by vote of the legislative body, subject to the charter of the municipality, or, in a district, by vote of the district at a district meeting.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 5
cases, 1925–2019 · leading case: Moloney v. Selectmen of Milford, 149 N.E. 317 (Mass. 1925).
Moloney v. Selectmen of Milford, 149 N.E. 317 (Mass. 1925). “The relevant statutes are G. L. c. 4, § 4, to the effect that "Wherever it is provided that a statute shall take effect upon its acceptance by a city or town, such acceptance shall, except as otherwise provided in such statute, be, in a city, by vote of the city council or, in a…”
Doherty v. Mayor of Everett, 431 N.E.2d 263 (Mass. App. Ct. 1982). “G. L. c. 4, § 4 (as amended through St. 1966, c.”
Oleksak v. City of Westfield, 172 N.E.2d 85 (Mass. 1961). “See G. L. c. 4, § 4; § 4A, inserted by St. 1952, c.”
Crossing Over, Inc. v. City of Fitchburg, No. 1785CV01318 (Mass. Super. Ct. Feb. 25, 2019). “See G.L. c. 4, § 4 (local acceptance of a state law).”
Chisholm v. City Council of Lynn, 331 N.E.2d 529 (Mass. 1975). “” The procedure for acceptance was not prescribed by the act, but follows G. L. c. 4, § 4, that is, in the case of a city, by vote of the city council, subject to charter provisions.”
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