Housing

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SD 3502: An Act creating the engaging neighborhoods, organizations, unions, governments and households fund ("The ENOUGH Act")

By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation to create the engaging neighborhoods, organizations, unions, governments, and households fund. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates a dedicated housing fund explicitly targeting housing initiatives, aligning with funding and strengthening housing programs per support indicators.90% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1820: An Act providing increased protections from harassment and discrimination on the basis of height

This bill would expand anti-discrimination protections to specifically prohibit harassment and discrimination based on height in employment, housing, and public accommodations. It directly affects individuals who face treatment due to their height, including those who are shorter or taller than average. The bill is currently under review by the Judiciary Committee and aims to add height as a protected characteristic under existing state anti-discrimination laws.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill prohibits height-based discrimination in housing, directly protecting tenants from housing discrimination under anti-discrimination law.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdds height as protected characteristic in employment anti-discrimination laws, directly strengthening worker protections against harassment and discrimination in the workplace.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 20, 2025

H 2298: An Act facilitating site plan review

By Representative Kassner of Hamilton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2298) of Kristin E. Kassner and Vanna Howard relative to site plan zoning review. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingFacilitating site plan review streamlines housing development approvals, advancing housing construction without specific affordability focus.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1980: An Act to promote the health and safety of people in the sex trade

This bill (H 1980) would automatically remove certain past convictions related to prostitution and marijuana offenses from public criminal records. It directly affects individuals who were convicted of these specific offenses before Massachusetts laws changed to decriminalize or reduce penalties for them. The key mechanism is a streamlined process to expunge these records without requiring individuals to file separate requests. This change aims to improve access to housing, employment, and other opportunities by eliminating barriers linked to outdated convictions. The bill focuses on concrete record-removal, not altering current criminal laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomatically expunges prostitution/marijuana conviction records to improve housing/employment access, reducing recidivism barriers per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly states expungement improves housing access by removing criminal record barriers for housing applications, directly advancing tenant opportunities.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAutomatically expunges prostitution/marijuana conviction records to improve employment access for affected individuals, directly advancing labor market opportunities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

signed · Massachusetts · House Dec 10, 2025

H 4439: An Act providing a simplified procedure for the layout and acceptance of subdivision roads in the City of Marlborough

This bill (H 4439) would simplify the process for the City of Marlborough to approve new subdivision roads in housing developments. It directly affects Marlborough's city government, developers building new subdivisions, and residents in those areas. The key provision replaces the current multi-step procedure with a streamlined method for laying out and accepting road designs before construction begins. This aims to reduce administrative delays for new housing projects within Marlborough. The bill requires approval from Marlborough's mayor and city council to take effect.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill streamlines road approval for housing subdivisions, reducing administrative delays for new housing projects, directly advancing housing development.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill streamlines road approval for subdivisions, reducing delays in developing new roads. This directly supports transportation infrastructure by facilitating road construction for housing projects.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1919: An Act prohibiting body size discrimination

H 1919, titled "An Act prohibiting body size discrimination," would make it illegal for employers, housing providers, and public accommodations to discriminate against individuals based on their body size (such as weight or body mass). The bill would directly affect businesses, landlords, and service providers by requiring them to avoid discriminatory practices and establish complaint procedures for affected individuals. It would create a legal framework for individuals to seek remedies if they experience such discrimination. Sponsored by Representatives Tram T. Nguyen and Rebecca L. Rausch, the bill is under review by the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill prohibits housing providers from discriminating based on body size, directly protecting tenants from unfair housing treatment per summary.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits body size discrimination in employment, directly protecting workers' rights under Labor & Employment standards.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 19, 2025

H 309: An Act relative to updating and modernizing Chapter 40R

By Representatives Turco of Winthrop and Consalvo of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 309) of Jeffrey Rosario Turco for legislation to further regulate smart growth zoning districts. Community Development and Small Businesses.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill modernizes smart growth zoning districts (Chapter 40R), a policy framework typically designed to increase housing supply through sustainable development and affordable housing initiatives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development Zoning

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 20, 2025

H 1484: An Act relative to accessory dwelling units

By Representative Cusack of Braintree, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1484) of Mark J. Cusack relative to accessory dwelling units. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill enables accessory dwelling units (ADUs), increasing housing supply and affordability through additional housing options on existing properties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 17, 2025

H 335: An Act to promote equity among lessors

By Representatives Chan of Quincy and Uyterhoeven of Somerville, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 335) of Tackey Chan, Erika Uyterhoeven and others for legislation to require that real estate brokers fees be paid by lessors. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingShifts real estate broker fees from tenants to landlords, reducing tenant costs and strengthening tenant protections under housing policy.95% confidence

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 5191: An Act establishing a real estate transfer fee upon the transfer of property in the town of Arlington

HD 5191 establishes a real estate transfer fee for property sales in Arlington, applicable to transactions exceeding 50-150% of the state median home price. The fee, ranging from 0.05% to 2% of the sale price, would be paid by buyers, sellers, or both (determined by town meeting) and collected for the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The bill includes exemptions for gifts between family members, government transfers, affordable housing units, and foreclosures, among others. Specific fee rates and thresholds will be set by Arlington's town meeting following select board recommendations. All revenue must fund affordable housing programs, with annual reports tracking fund usage and impact.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a real estate transfer fee (0.05%-2%) to fund the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund, directly allocating tax revenue to support housing affordability programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund via transfer fees on property sales, directly advancing affordable housing initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

Track