SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2279        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Liz Miranda

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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 relative to summary process.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2279        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1048 OF 2023-2024.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act relative to summary process.

Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to Provide housing stability by preventing unnecessary evictions that may be avoided through mutual resolution, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public safety and health.
 

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 239 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding, after section 14, the following new section:-

Section 15. Two-tier process;

(a) All summary process cases shall be handled in a two-tier process. (i)  First tier. This event will be for the parties to determine the status of the case, explore the availability of resources,  attempt mediation or other opportunity to reach a resolution to the case, and identify next steps in preparing the case for trial. No default or dismissal may enter if a party does not appear at the first tier event. (ii) Second tier. For cases which are not resolved, the Clerk’s Office shall send a written notice to the parties of the trial date.