Legislation Section

Come back often to find out more about the Bills and Legislation being voted for on the floor that affects us all as landlords in the state of Massachusetts. Look for upcoming events on the calendar and be prepared to take action to make your voice known to the lawmakers that represent our communities. Find out who your Representatives and Senators are at www.mass.gov and click on “legislators” on your left or go directly to http://www.mass.gov/portal/government-taxes/branches-agencies/legislative/, or visit www.wheredoivotema.com and enter your street address to find out more information about voting. All information comes from https://malegislature.gov/ Latest Bills of 2023 considered for Landlords

HD.1449	Murphy, James M.	An Act relative to landlords accountability with regard to drug housesSECTION 1: Chapter 139 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition … of Chapter 20 the following: (b) Any landlord who violates subsection (a), and who knew …
	HD.54	Sabadosa, Lindsay N.	An Act to prohibit landlords and brokers from requiring broker’s commissions to be paid by a tenant or prospective tenantany services on behalf of such landowner, landlord, lessor, or sub-lessor for the listing … SECTION 2. No landowner, landlord, lessor, or sub-lessor shall demand or require that a …
	HD.132	Galvin, William C.	An Act limiting rent increases and creating a rental arbitratorSECTION 1. Chapter 12 of the … or 10 per cent, whichever is lower, if the landlord can show cause to the tenant for the greater increase, which the landlord shall explain in writing …
	HD.1022	O’Day, James J.	An Act enhancing child safetyAny landlord who has a tenant in a residential unit with a window higher than 6 feet off … the unit; and any discrimination by the landlord in this regard shall be punishable by a …
	SD.588	Gomez, Adam	An Act relative to the use of credit reporting in housingSECTION 1. Section 51 of Chapter 93 of … report with a consumer reporting agency, the landlord or person acting on behalf of the landlord shall not take an adverse action until the …
	HD.144	Galvin, William C.	An Act providing for tenant agentsChapter 112 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out section 87DDD½ … present an offer to lease to the landlord or landlord’s agent and negotiate on behalf of the tenant
	SD.740	Keenan, John F.	An Act creating the Massachusetts healthy homes program“Larger Landlord”, an individual who has title to more than one residential unit who meets the definition of neither an owner-occupant nor a small landlord …
	HD.1198	Silvia, Alan	An Act maintaining parity in legal services for small property ownersalso consider parity amongst participants in landlord tenant disputes to determine if the landlord of an eligible client tenant is also …
	HD.1355	Garry, Colleen M.	An Act to establish a window falls prevention program within the Department of Public Health and mandate window guards in residential homes AKA “Zell…The obligation of a landlord to install window guards under this section shall not affect … the unit; and any discrimination by the landlord in this regard shall be punishable by a …
	HD.188	LeBoeuf, David Henry Argosky	An Act relative to problem properties and enhancing fire safetyand administering a program to assist landlords and lessors with providing fire safety … There shall be credited to the trust fund: (i) any funds deposited in the trust fund pursuant …
	HD.103	Roy, Jeffrey N.	An Act relative to the requirement of explosive gas sensor deviceslimited to, a requirement that a landlord or superintendent shall install either approved … (b) The board of fire prevention regulations shall promulgate such regulations as may be …
	SD.456	Crighton, Brendan P.	An Act establishing a special commission to study racial segregation in housing and public schoolsSECTION 1. (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there is hereby … of real estate agents, property managers, and landlords, based on the race of prospective …
	SD.425	Tarr, Bruce E.	An Act updating the wiretap statutes in the CommonwealthSECTION 1. Paragraph A of section 99 of chapter 272 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the third subparagraph and …
	SD.560	Creem, Cynthia Stone	An Act promoting resilience against the heat-related impacts of climate changeSECTION 1. Chapter 23B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is … provides a written statement from the landlord allowing the installation of a window …
	HD.1252	LeBoeuf, David Henry Argosky	An Act enhancing justice for families harmed by leadSECTION 1. Section 189A of Chapter 111, as appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, is hereby … (f) A parent or guardian of a child, landlord, seller or manager of properties, housing …
	SD.947	Jehlen, Patricia D.	An Act enhancing justice for families harmed by leadSECTION 1. Section 189A of Chapter 111, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby … (f) A parent or guardian of a child, landlord, seller or manager of properties, housing …
	SD.1102	DiDomenico, Sal N.	An Act promoting access to counsel and housing stability in MassachusettsSECTION 1. Chapter 239 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is … expertise in housing law and landlord and tenant law and substantial experience furnishing …
	HD.216	Meschino, Joan	An Act to create and implement a Massachusetts flexible supportive housing subsidy pool programSECTION 1. The General Court hereby finds and declares all of the following: (i) Housing … rental housing units subject to applicable landlord-tenant law, with no limit on length of …
	SD.686	Crighton, Brendan P.	An Act to create and implement a Massachusetts Flexible Supportive Housing Subsidy Pool ProgramSECTION 1. The General Court hereby finds and declares all of the following: (i) Housing … rental housing units subject to applicable landlord-tenant law, with no limit on length of …
	SD.807	Creem, Cynthia Stone	An Act authorizing municipalities to impose a methane emissions surcharge and authorize non-pipeline alternativesSECTION 1. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 53 of chapter 44 of the General Laws, or any other general or special law to the contrary, a city or town that accepts the

Read updates on bills from our local expert, Richard Vetstien Esq.  at www.MassLawBlog.com Richard D. Vetstein, Esq. is regarded as one of the leading real estate attorneys in Massachusetts. With 25 years in practice, he has been voted a “Super Lawyer,” “Top Lawyer” by Boston Magazine, and “Best of Metrowest.”