# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 4, sec. 5: Return showing action of body accepting or rejecting statute

> Massachusetts · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TI_C4_S5

## Section

- **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 4, sec. 5
- **Heading:** Return showing action of body accepting or rejecting statute
- **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MA Code / Part I / Title I / Chapter 4 / Section 5

## Text

Section 5. If a statute is to take effect upon action by a body politic or corporate or by any board or officer of such a body, or to become or cease to be operative, in whole or in so far as it affects such a body, upon action as aforesaid, a return of the result of any action so taken shall be made by the clerk of such body, or officer having like powers, to the state secretary within thirty days thereafter. If a statute prescribes a time within which such action may be taken, and within the time limited no action is taken thereon, said clerk or other officer shall, within thirty days after the expiration of the time so limited, make to the state secretary a return to that effect.

Section 5. If a statute is to take effect upon action by a body politic or corporate or by any board or officer of such a body, or to become or cease to be operative, in whole or in so far as it affects such a body, upon action as aforesaid, a return of the result of any action so taken shall be made by the clerk of such body, or officer having like powers, to the state secretary within thirty days thereafter. If a statute prescribes a time within which such action may be taken, and within the time limited no action is taken thereon, said clerk or other officer shall, within thirty days after the expiration of the time so limited, make to the state secretary a return to that effect.

## Nearby sections

- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 4, sec. 1 Effective date of statutes](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TI_C4_S1.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 4, sec. 1A Reorganization plans for executive department](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TI_C4_S1A.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 4, sec. 2 Effective date of resolves](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TI_C4_S2.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 4, sec. 2A Special legislative commissions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TI_C4_S2A.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 4, sec. 3 Enacting style of initiative measures](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TI_C4_S3.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 4, sec. 4 Mode of acceptance of statute by municipality or district](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TI_C4_S4.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 4, sec. 4A Revocation of acceptance by towns of special acts](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TI_C4_S4A.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 4, sec. 4B Rescission of laws previously accepted by cities, towns or municipalities](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TI_C4_S4B.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 4, sec. 5 Return showing action of body accepting or rejecting statute](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TI_C4_S5.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 4, sec. 6 Rules for construction of statutes](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TI_C4_S6.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 4, sec. 7 Definitions of statutory terms; statutory construction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TI_C4_S7.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 4, sec. 8 Construction of special acts authorizing municipalities to incur indebtedness](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TI_C4_S8.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 4, sec. 9 Time for performance of acts performable on Sunday or holiday](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TI_C4_S9.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 4, sec. 9A Recital giving unsealed instrument effect of sealed instrument; ''person'' defined](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TI_C4_S9A.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TI_C4_S5. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.