HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5074        FILED ON: 5/5/2020

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

James K. Hawkins

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to provide relief and promote fiscal stability.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

James K. Hawkins

2nd Bristol

5/5/2020

Lindsay N. Sabadosa

1st Hampshire

5/5/2020

Aaron Vega

5th Hampden

5/8/2020

Maria Duaime Robinson

6th Middlesex

5/6/2020

José F. Tosado

9th Hampden

5/6/2020

Steven S. Howitt

4th Bristol

5/9/2020

Carmine Lawrence Gentile

13th Middlesex

5/10/2020

Kay Khan

11th Middlesex

5/11/2020

Brian M. Ashe

2nd Hampden

5/11/2020

Christina A. Minicucci

14th Essex

5/11/2020


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5074        FILED ON: 5/5/2020

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

By Mr. Hawkins of Attleboro, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of James K. Hawkins and others relative to certain financial obligations and forbearance for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak.  Financial Services.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

_______________

 

An Act to provide relief and promote fiscal stability.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation, mortgages of residential and commercial property, inclusive of non profit organizations, which provides rental income that in whole or in part supports that payment of mortgage obligations shall provide forbearance relative to such obligations for the duration of the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, and the governor’s March 10, 2020 declaration of a state of emergency plus thirty days after the conclusion of the governor’s March 10, 2020 declaration of a state of emergency, if and to the extent the provisions of this act are met.

SECTION 2. In order to be eligible for the forbearance prescribed in section 1, a mortgagor shall demonstrate that rental income from the property secured by the subject mortgage has not been received as a result of the public health emergency caused by the COVID-19 virus. Said demonstration shall be in a written affidavit which shall attest, under the pains and penalties of perjury, to the amount of rent required by an existing lease or other rental agreement, and any amounts received and/or projected to be received during the period for which forbearance is being sought. A copy of such lease or agreement shall be attached to said affidavit.

SECTION 3. Any forbearance provided pursuant to this act shall not, give rise to a subsequent assessment of interest, penalties, or other similar assessments, and shall not be subject to state taxation.

SECTION 4. The commissioner of banks to the extent feasible and practicable in facilitating the timely implementation of this act, may develop and promulgate standardized forms for the written documentation required in section 2; provided, however, that the absence of such forms shall not render the provisions of this act inoperable.

SECTION 5. The provisions of this act shall expire, unless otherwise extended, modified, or terminated, 30 days following the expiration of the governor’s March 10, 2020 declaration of a state of emergency or any extension thereof.