SECTION 1. Section 8A of chapter 239 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2008 Official Edition,  is hereby amended by inserting, on line 19, after the semicolon, the words:- “(1) the tenant or occupant deposits with the clerk all rent due prior to final disposition of the plaintiff’s action;”;

SECTION 2. Section 8A of said chapter 239, is hereby amended by striking out, on line 21, after the word “rent”, the word “knew” and inserting in place thereof the words:- “was given written notice”.

SECTION 3. Section 8A of said chapter 239, is hereby amended by inserting, on line 18, after the words “under this section” the words:- “when the tenant otherwise applies rent pursuant to section one hundred twenty-seven of chapter one hundred eleven L or”.

SECTION 4. Section 8A of said chapter 239, is hereby amended by striking out the word “may” throughout fourth paragraph, lines 56 through 77, and inserting in place thereof the word:- “shall”.

SECTION 4. Section 8A of said chapter 239 is hereby amended by striking out, on line 59, the words, “the tenant or occupant claiming under this section to pay to” and inserting in place thereof the words:- “to pay the landlord, from the deposit required by the second paragraph,”.

SECTION 5. Section 8A of said chapter 239 is hereby amended by striking out, on lines 62 through 64, the words: “or to make a deposit with the clerk of such amount or such installments thereof from time to time as the court may direct, for the occupation of the premises.”.

SECTION 6. Section 8A of said chapter 239 is hereby amended by striking out, on line 76, the words: “or for use and occupation”.