Massachusetts senators have moved a bill to end seasonal clock changes toward further debate, but the proposal has not become law.
The Senate ordered S.2157 to a third reading on Oct. 29, according to the Legislature's bill history. That is a step before further Senate consideration, rather than final passage. Massachusetts clocks returned to standard time on Sunday, Nov. 1, as scheduled.
The bill would put Massachusetts on Atlantic standard time throughout the year. That would keep the state's clocks at the same setting used during daylight saving time, with winter sunsets and sunrises an hour later by the clock than under Eastern standard time.
The text makes the change conditional on action by at least two of six other states: Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. It also directs the governor to petition the U.S. Department of Transportation to place Massachusetts in the Atlantic time zone.
The legislation would create a separate education task force to examine school starting times. Its work would include public hearings and a report on scheduling and students' sleep needs.
Senate leaders announced the latest action Oct. 30. The official record still lists the bill with the Senate Committee on Bills in the Third Reading.