AN ACT FURTHER AMENDING THE FAIR HOUSING ORDINANCE IN THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE
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. Section 14.04.030 of section 1 of chapter 413 of the acts of 1991, as most recently amended by section 6 of chapter 118 of the acts of 2019, is hereby further amended by inserting after the word “orientation”, each time it appears, the following words:- , relationship status, family structure.
SECTION 2. Said section 14.04.030 of said section 1 of said chapter 413, as so amended, is hereby further amended by striking out paragraphs 11 to 20, inclusive, and inserting in place thereof the following paragraphs:-
11. “Family structure”, (i) a single person; (ii) 2 persons; (iii) a lawful consensual nonmonogamous; (iv) a lawful consensual multi-partner family structure which may include either or both of the parents, stepparents or legal guardians of any minor children; (v) 2 or more consenting adults in a multi-partner or multi-parent family structure, including stepparents; and (vi) any multigenerational or other nonnuclear family.
12. “Gender identity”, a person's gender-related identity, appearance or behavior, whether or not that gender-related identity, appearance or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person's physiology or assigned sex at birth.
13. “Housing set aside for or limited to the elderly”, housing:
(a) provided under any state or federal program specifically designed and operated to assist elderly persons;
(b) intended for and occupied solely by persons 62 years of age or older; or
(c) intended and operated for occupancy by at least 1 person 55 years of age or older per unit; provided, however, that “housing set aside for or limited to the elderly” shall qualify as housing for the elderly under this section if:
(i) it has significant facilities and services designed to meet the physical or social needs of elderly persons or, if provision of such facilities and services is not practicable, such housing is necessary to provide important housing opportunities for elderly persons;
(ii) at least 80 per cent of the units are occupied by at least 1 person 55 years of age or older; and
(iii) there is publication, notice of and adherence to policies and procedures which demonstrate an intent by the owner or manager to provide housing for persons 55 years of age or older.
14. “Marital status”, the actual or supposed state of being or having been single, married, separated or divorced.
15. “Military status”, the actual or supposed condition of being, not being, having been or not having been in the service of the military.
16. “Person”, an individual or group of individuals, partnerships, associations, corporations, labor organizations, legal representatives, mutual companies, joint-stock companies, unincorporated organizations, fiduciaries, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy, receivers, the city of Cambridge and any political subdivisions, boards and commissions thereof.
17. “Real estate transaction”, (i) the making or purchasing of loans or providing other financial assistance: (a) for purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing or maintaining a dwelling; or (b) secured by residential real estate; or (ii) the selling, brokering or appraising of residential real property.
18. “Reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs”, the reasonable expenses of expert witnesses and the reasonable costs of any studies, analyses, engineering reports, tests or projects which are found by the court to be necessary for the preparation of the party's case, together with reasonable attorneys’ fees; provided, however, that “reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs” shall be calculated based upon prevailing market rates for the kind and quality of services furnished.
19. “Relationship status”, the actual or perceived involvement or lack thereof of an individual in a lawful, intimate personal relationship or relationships, including but not limited to, interpersonal relationships between 2 or more consenting adults that involve romantic physical or emotional intimacy.
20. “Religious creed”, the actual or supposed faith, belief or moral philosophy of an individual or the lack of any such faith, belief or moral philosophy.
21. “Sexual orientation”, the actual or supposed heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality of an individual.
22. “Source of income”, public assistance recipiency; provided, however, that “source of income” shall not include income derived from criminal activity.
SECTION 3. Section 14.04.040 of said section 1 of said chapter 413, as most recently amended by section 26 of chapter 118 of the acts of 2019, is hereby further amended by inserting after the word “orientation”, each time it appears, the following words:- , relationship status, family structure.
SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved, January 1, 2025.