Press Room

An Act regarding fair housing practices in the Commonwealth advances the goal of ensuring every Massachusetts resident has a fair opportunity to access housing.

The legislation meaningfully supports the existing Fair Housing Law with mandatory instruction for real estate agents in how to avoid discrimination against potential buyers or tenants; enhanced license suspensions for cases where violations occur; and publication of data on complaints.

The details of the legislation are below.

Calls for Continuing ‘Fair Housing’ Education. Requires applicants for a real estate license to attend at least four hours of classroom instruction on the Fair Housing Law as part of their application process, training them on how to avoid discrimination against potential buyers or renters based on demographics like race, national origin, religion, disability, or age. Follows up by requiring at least two hours of instruction as part of the renewal process for real estate licenses.

Enhances Second-Offense Penalty. Increases the penalty from a 90-day license suspension up to a 180-day suspension for licensed real estate brokers or salespeople who commit a second violation of the Fair Housing Law within a two-year period.

Streamlines Referrals for Suspensions. Bridges the gap between findings of Fair Housing Law violations and the license suspension process by allowing the Attorney General and fair housing agencies to directly refer findings of violations to the registration board for a mandatory suspension.

Gives Public Awareness of Violations. Requires the real estate brokers’ registration board to annually publish a list of licensed brokers or salespeople whose real estate licenses were revoked due to Fair Housing Law violations, along with a summary of complaints filed and the number and type of disciplinary actions taken by the board.