Housing

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 2020: An Act relative to rental protections for elderly, disabled and low-to-middle income tenants

HD 829 protects eligible tenants (65+ or disabled, or with income at or below 80% of area median income) by allowing them to terminate leases early without penalty when moving to qualifying housing. Tenants must provide 30 days' written notice to landlords and can move to housing like nursing homes, public housing, or low-income developments without liability for the remaining lease term. Landlords cannot refuse rentals or housing assistance based on this termination, and lease clauses attempting to block this right are void. The law directly affects these specific tenant groups and their landlords, creating a clear mechanism for lease flexibility.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly provides rental protections for vulnerable tenants (elderly, disabled, low-to-middle income), strengthening tenant rights as a core housing policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 1120: An Act establishing a bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness

This bill establishes specific rights for people experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts. It defines "persons experiencing homelessness" broadly to include those in shelters, cars, parks, or temporary housing, and guarantees their right to use public spaces without discrimination based on housing status. Key provisions include protections against discrimination in medical care (including pandemic services), voting access (explicitly stating lack of fixed residence won't block voter registration), and employment, while requiring employers to consider housing status as a protected category under anti-discrimination law. The bill also mandates reasonable privacy for personal property in public spaces and prohibits harassment by officials. These changes directly affect homeless individuals and require state/municipal agencies and employers to adjust policies to comply.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes rights for homeless individuals, directly addressing housing vulnerability and protection per topic indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1933: An Act further protecting tenants

This bill amends Chapter 239 of the General Laws by adding clear definitions for key terms used in tenant protection laws. It defines "Tenant" as anyone occupying property for money or services (written or verbal), "Subtenant" as someone renting from a tenant, and "Consideration" as money or services provided under any agreement. These definitions directly affect tenants, subtenants, and landlords operating under Chapter 239. The bill clarifies the legal language to ensure consistent application of existing tenant protections, without introducing new requirements or penalties.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly protects tenant rights through rent withholdings, advancing tenant protections in housing policy as described in title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 1152: An Act relative to rental protections for elderly, disabled and low-to-middle income tenants

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1152) of Jason M. Lewis and Mark C. Montigny for legislation relative to the termination of rental agreements or tenancy by certain tenants. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant protections for elderly, disabled, and low-to-middle income tenants by addressing termination of rental agreements, directly advancing tenant rights in housing policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 1022: An Act to maintain stable housing for families with pets

This bill (SD 817) protects tenants with pets from eviction during emergencies and standardizes pet policies in housing. Landlords cannot evict tenants for having pets during a state of emergency (for one year after it ends) unless pets cause actual harm, and hotels cannot unreasonably refuse pets during emergencies. It bans housing rules that restrict pets based on breed, size, or appearance, and allows landlords to charge a capped additional rent (max 1% of rent per dog or total for other pets), excluding service animals. These changes directly affect renters, landlords, and housing authorities, aiming to prevent pet-related housing discrimination.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly aims to maintain stable housing for families with pets, directly protecting tenants from pet-related housing instability. This aligns with tenant protection, a core housing policy area.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1926: An Act relative to tenant data privacy

The context provided does not include the full text or specific provisions of HD 1031. It only states the bill is a draft being worked on by House Counsel and lists the title "An Act relative to tenant data privacy." Without details on what the bill actually requires or how it would affect tenants, no substantive summary can be generated. The placeholder note "DRAFT BEING WORKED ON BY HOUSE COUNSEL" confirms the bill is not finalized, so concrete policy changes cannot be described. For an accurate summary, the complete bill text or official summary would be needed.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill addresses tenant data privacy, supporting tenant protections as part of housing policy without explicit funding or development language.65% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly establishes tenant data privacy protections, directly advancing data privacy within technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights Data Privacy

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 20, 2025

S 475: An Act promoting housing stability for older adults across the commonwealth

By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 475) of Patricia D. Jehlen, Sal N. DiDomenico, Thomas M. Stanley, Patrick M. O'Connor and others for legislation to promote housing stability for older adults across the commonwealth. Elder Affairs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly promotes housing stability for older adults, aligning with tenant protection and affordable housing support indicators.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 1937: An Act enabling a local option for a real estate transfer fee to fund affordable housing

By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1937) of Joanne M. Comerford, Adam Gomez, James B. Eldridge, Jason M. Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation to grant a local option for a real estate transfer fee to fund affordable housing. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProposes real estate transfer fee tax to fund affordable housing, directly generating revenue for public housing program.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates real estate transfer fee specifically to fund affordable housing, directly advancing housing access through dedicated revenue.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 23, 2025

S 1001: An Act to increase housing production in the city of Lowell

This bill amends zoning thresholds in Lowell to potentially increase housing production. It reduces specific numerical limits in existing law: changing "45" to "40" (Section 1), "180" to "187" (Section 2), and "81" to "75" (Section 3). These changes adjust development requirements for housing projects in Lowell, directly affecting developers and city planners. The bill modifies technical thresholds without specifying new policy outcomes, focusing solely on adjusting existing numerical parameters in zoning regulations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly aims to increase housing production in Lowell, directly advancing housing development as per title and summary.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 13, 2026

S 1447: An Act enabling cities and towns to stabilize rents and protect tenants

By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1447) of Patricia D. Jehlen, Adam Gomez, Mike Connolly, Paul W. Mark and other members of the General Court for legislation to enable cities and towns to stabilize rents and protect tenants. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly enables rent stabilization and tenant protection, directly advancing tenant rights and affordable housing access per title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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