An Act relative to liability for release of hazardous materials

This bill redefines "condition of substantial release migration" for hazardous material releases, specifying scenarios requiring immediate action - such as groundwater contamination within 200 feet per year, vapor intrusion near schools/residences, or releases detected in water supplies. It adds "critical exposure pathways" to clarify when vapor or water contamination poses direct health risks to people in buildings. The bill also creates liability protection for entities that completed approved cleanup efforts, stating they cannot be held liable for past releases if the environmental department audited and verified their cleanup. These changes clarify when response actions are mandatory and shield responsible parties from future claims for properly managed sites.