The Legislature recently passed a deadline – February 2, known as “Joint Rule 10” – by which Joint Committees needed to decide on the fate of its bills. There are 3 options: (1) a favorable report, which means it continues to move through the law-making process this year; (2) an extension, which means the Committee allows more time to decide whether it will report favorably; or (3) moved to study, which means it is no longer in play for passage this legislative session (but can be introduced at the start of the next session next year).
At the start of this Legislative Session that began in January, 2021, the Network adopted its Legislative Priorities in coalition with its statewide partners. Below is a list of outcomes on these bills. As you will see, we have very encouraging news for many of our priorities – and much exciting work in the weeks and months ahead to bring these bills to passage!
Reported out favorably:
- Eviction Record Sealing (HOMES) (H. 1808 accompanied by S.921)
- Codifying Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (S.898/ H.1428)
- Upstream homelessness prevention assistance to families, youth, and adults (H.1385)
- Improving emergency housing assistance for children and families experiencing homelessness (S.111/H.202)
- Bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness (H.264/S.142)
- Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool Program (H.3838)
- Western MA Cliff Effect Pilot (S.119/H.208)
- Increase Regional Transit Accessibility(H.3413/S.2277)
- MA ID Bill (H.3515/S.2276) – passed full Senate unanimously on 1/13; sent to full House
Extended:
- COVID-19 Housing Equity to prevent COVID-19 evictions and foreclosures (H.1434/S.891) – extended to 2/22
- Right to Counsel in evictions (H.1436/S.874)- extended to 3/1
- Local Option for Rent Control (H.1440/S.889) – extended to 3/1
- Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (H.1426/S.890) – extended to 3/8
- Local Option for Affordable Housing (H.1377/S.868)- extended to 5/9
Sent to study:
- Codifying HomeBASE in state statute and provide renewals (H.1372)
