Rep. Mike Connolly

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase the Massachusetts tax credit for landlords who remove lead hazards from their rental properties. Currently, the credit is capped at $1,500, but this legislation would raise that limit to $15,000 per unit. The change is intended to provide greater financial assistance to property owners undertaking lead remediation work. By increasing the available tax credit, the bill aims to encourage more landlords to address lead safety issues in their housing.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts cities and towns to pass local laws that limit how much landlords can raise rents and restrict when they can evict tenants. Municipalities would adopt these rules by voting to accept the chapter and then creating specific ordinances that cap annual rent increases at the lower of the Consumer Price Index or 5 percent. The protections apply to most rental units but exclude small owner-occupied buildings, dormitories, elderly care facilities, and new buildings with a recent occupancy certificate. Additionally, the bill requires that evictions or lease non-renewals only happen for specific reasons such as unpaid rent, lease violations, criminal activity, or the owner converting the unit to a cooperative.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled "An Act enabling local options for tenant protections," amends Massachusetts law to allow cities and towns to choose whether to implement specific local tenant protections. Under the new provisions, municipalities that opt in can regulate rent and evictions in multi-family housing, provided they also establish fair return standards for property owners and exclude owner-occupied homes with three or fewer units. The legislation defines "just cause" evictions, permitting landlords to end tenancies only for specific reasons such as non-payment of rent, lease violations, or illegal activity. Additionally, the bill allows local communities to set income-based eligibility requirements for regulated units and create administrative bodies to oversee these programs and assist small landlords. Ultimately, the act shifts the decision-making power regarding these housing measures to individual municipalities rather than mandating them statewide.

By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2545) of Patricia D. Jehlen, Christine P. Barber, Erika Uyterhoeven and Mike Connolly (with approval of the mayor and city council) for legislation to authorize the city of Somerville to regulate rent in residential dwelling units. Housing. [Local Approval Received.]

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new rental arbitrator within the Massachusetts Attorney General's office to help resolve disputes between landlords and tenants regarding rent increases. It limits how much a landlord can raise rent for an existing tenant within a 12-month period, capping the increase at the lower of 5 percent plus the Chained Consumer Price Index or 10 percent, unless the landlord can prove specific causes like major improvements or adding new tenants. The law also prevents landlords from refusing to renew a lease simply to avoid these restrictions and allows tenants to appeal unauthorized increases to the arbitrator, who must issue a decision within 90 days. Landlords found in violation of these rules must refund overpaid rent and face monetary fines, while the arbitrator retains the ability to adjust limits annually based on market conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill addresses the housing emergency in Massachusetts by requiring municipalities to allow specific types of multi-family housing, known as "middle housing," to be built without needing special approval. It defines these new housing types, including duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, townhouses, and cottage clusters, and mandates that cities with populations over 2,500 permit accessory dwelling units, while larger cities must allow duplexes or middle housing as of right. The law also prohibits local zoning rules from banning multi-family housing or imposing stricter standards on government-assisted housing than those applied to regular housing. Additionally, the bill allows cities to regulate the design and placement of these homes to protect infrastructure, provided such rules do not unreasonably discourage development or cause significant delays.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires landlords to electronically send notices of eviction for nonpayment of rent to state housing officials and local city leaders, while keeping tenants' personal information confidential. It also mandates that courts pause eviction proceedings if a tenant shows they are applying for short-term emergency rental assistance to cover rent or move costs. Additionally, the bill directs courts to inform tenants of available resources and requires monthly reports on eviction cases and the use of rental assistance to track how these protections are applied.

By Representative Connolly of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3941) of Mike Connolly and Bud L. Williams for legislation to authorize supplemental financing of housing first programs, state public housing renovations, and other housing programs and to make related changes in certain laws. Housing.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts cities and towns to choose whether to implement rent control and eviction protections for residents in their communities. If a municipality opts in, it must pass local rules that cap how much landlords can raise rents each year and ensure evictions only happen for specific, justified reasons like non-payment or lease violations. The protections apply to most rental units but exclude small owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units, properties already regulated by other agencies, college dorms, and elderly care facilities. Local governments would have the option to adopt these measures through various methods, including ordinances or binding votes by their residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state-funded programs and facilities from using procedures that cause physical pain or deny basic humane conditions to people with disabilities. Specifically, it bans practices such as hitting, pinching, or electric shock used to change behavior, while also forbidding any punishment that would be illegal if applied to non-disabled individuals. Additionally, the law prevents institutions from denying individuals reasonable access to sleep, food, shelter, bedding, and bathroom facilities. These changes directly affect agencies licensed or approved by the Commonwealth that care for persons with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities.