An Act promoting fair housing by preventing discrimination against affordable housing
This bill amends Massachusetts law to prohibit local and state governments from using land use rules or funding decisions to exclude affordable housing. It specifically defines discriminatory practices as actions that limit housing for low-income families, households with multiple bedrooms, or residents protected by existing fair housing categories like race and disability. The legislation allows individuals to sue for damages and legal fees if they are harmed by such exclusions, while permitting government entities to defend their actions if they can prove a legitimate public interest that cannot be met through less discriminatory means.
Bill status
passed both
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Aug 2024
House Passage
Jul 2024
Senate Passage
Mar 2024
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023
Last action Aug 15, 2024
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
12
Key actions
5
Committee
2
Amendments
1
Aug 15, 2024
Lower · Passed
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
lower
Jul 15, 2024
Lower · Passed
House concurred
lower
Jul 11, 2024
Upper · Passed
Amendment (changing reporting date to Wednesday July 31, 2024) adopted, pending concurrence
upper
Mar 5, 2024
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 16, 2023
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 16, 2023
Committee
Referred to the committee on Housing
lower
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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