Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding the notice requirements of section 5 of chapter 40A of the General Laws, the hearing of the West Bridgewater planning board held on October 30, 1996 with respect to amendments of the zoning by-laws of the town of West Bridgewater and all actions taken by said town at a special town meeting held on November 12, 1996 with respect to said amendments of said town's zoning by-laws, as appearing in Article 12 of the warrant for said town meeting, are hereby ratified, validated and confirmed; provided, however, that nothing in this act shall exempt said town from any requirement to obtain approval of such amendments or by-laws by the attorney general.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.