An Act relative to window guards in residential rental properties

This bill requires landlords of multi-unit residential buildings in Massachusetts to install window guards upon request by any tenant with a child under ten years old. The law mandates that these safety devices be placed on windows higher than six feet that can open wide enough for a five-inch ball to pass through, ensuring they are secure and cannot be opened without a key held by the landlord. Landlords must provide written and verbal notice of this right to tenants at the start of each lease and are strictly prohibited from charging extra fees or discriminating against families who request the installation. Additionally, the Department of Public Safety is tasked with creating rules for the design, inspection, and maintenance of these guards, as well as establishing training programs for both landlords and tenants.