H 2616 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act to establish a window falls prevention program within the Department of Public Health and mandate window guards in residential homes AKA "Zella Ray's Law"

This bill requires window guards in residential homes where children under six live on the third floor or higher, directly affecting landlords and homeowners in multi-story buildings. Landlords must install and provide window guards at no cost to tenants, with fines of $500-$1,000 for discrimination against renters. It establishes a Department of Public Health program to educate families about window fall risks and provide technical assistance for prevention. Violations, such as obstructing installations, can incur civil penalties up to $10,000.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Sep 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action Sep 22, 2025
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
4
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Sep 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Colleen Garry
Colleen Garry
DDemocratic
MA
36th Middlesex