HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1048        FILED ON: 1/18/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1375

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Thomas M. Stanley

_________________

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 establishing a statewide affirmatively furthering fair housing framework.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Thomas M. Stanley

9th Middlesex

1/18/2023

Michelle M. DuBois

10th Plymouth

2/7/2023

Patrick Joseph Kearney

4th Plymouth

2/16/2023

Rebecca L. Rausch

Norfolk, Worcester and Middlesex

7/5/2023


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1048        FILED ON: 1/18/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1375

By Representative Stanley of Waltham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1375) of Thomas M. Stanley, Michelle M. DuBois and Patrick Joseph Kearney relative to fair housing assessments for large-scale housing developments.  Housing.

 

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 1446 OF 2021-2022.]

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

_______________

 

An Act establishing a statewide affirmatively furthering fair housing framework.

 

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. Chapter 40A of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 18. (a) As used in this section, the following terms shall, unless the context appears otherwise, have the following meanings:-

“Affirmatively further”, to take any action rationally related to promoting any attribute or attributes of fair housing.

“Fair housing”, housing that, among other attributes, is affordable, safe, decent, free of unlawful discrimination and accessible as required by chapter 151B or 42 U.S.C.A. §§ 1982 and 3604.

“Large-scale development”, a condominium association or apartment building with 35 or more residential dwelling units.

(b) Any person who intends to construct a large-scale development shall complete a fair housing assessment in a form to be prescribed by the department of housing and community development. The fair housing assessment shall describe, at a minimum: (1) the projected impact of the development on fair housing, housing discrimination and displacement; and (2) how the proposed development would minimize harm and affirmatively further fair housing.

(c) Any person who intends to construct a large-scale development shall provide the fair housing assessment described in subsection (b) to the department of housing and community development and the municipality in which the construction will take place not later than 180 days prior to the beginning of construction.

(d) The department of housing and community development may issue fines for noncompliance with this section. 

SECTION 2. The department of housing and community development shall promulgate regulations in accordance with section 1, including a schedule of fines for noncompliance, not later than 60 days after the effective date of this act.