Raised Bill No. 944 Summary

• Reduces timeline for deceased tenant's possessions from 60 days to 30 days before landlord may dispose of them after filing affidavit with Probate Court and providing proper notice to emergency contact and next of kin.

• Establishes that state marshals oversee disposal of possessions and personal effects rather than delivering them to municipal storage facilities designated by chief executive officers.

• Allows landlords to collect use and occupancy payments from defendants during eviction proceedings upon motion, with defendant having right to object and request hearing within five days.

• Permits plaintiffs (landlords) to dispose of defendants' possessions at their discretion under state marshal supervision, with defendants given two business days to reclaim property after eviction.

• Increases state marshal fees for removal and disposal supervision from previous amounts to up to $75 for service of execution and up to $100 per hour for removal or supervising disposal of possessions.

• Takes effect October 1, 2021.