Budget Amendment ID: FY2027-S4-826-R3

3rd Redraft OTH 826

Housing Amendments

Ms. Edwards, Messrs. Cyr, Lewis, Gomez and Payano, Ms. Kennedy, Messrs. Barrett and Eldridge, Ms. Miranda and Ms. Howard moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 0336-0002, by adding the following words:- 

“The trial court shall conduct a study on eviction sealings which shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the number of eviction cases dismissed, the number of petitions for sealing filed in those cases on or after January 1, 2025, and the length of time for such petitions to be resolved; (ii) the number of eviction cases decided in favor of the defendant, the number of petitions for sealing filed in those cases on or after January 1, 2025, and the length of time for such petitions to be resolved; and (iii) any logistical, technological and financial resources necessary to automatically seal cases, both prospectively and retroactively since January 1, 2020, that have been dismissed or decided in favor of the defendant, including the implementation of standardized sealing deadlines for all sealing applications, and to implement any recommended technological improvements to the eviction record sealing process. Not later than December 31, 2026, the trial court shall submit a report to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the joint committee on housing, the joint committee on the judiciary and the senate and house committees on ways and means detailing the results of the study.”; and

by inserting, after section 23, the following two sections:-

SECTION 23A. The definition of “federal government shutdown” in section 17 of chapter 221 of the General Laws, as appearing in section 55 of chapter 73 of the acts of 2025, is hereby amended by striking out the word “all” and inserting in place thereof the word “any”; and

SECTION 23B. The definition of “federal government shutdown” in section 42 of chapter 244 of the General Laws, as appearing in section 55 of chapter 73 of the acts of 2025, is hereby amended by striking out the word “all” and inserting in place thereof the word “any”.