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MA H1994

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/27/2025

Primary Sponsor

Priscila Sousa

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

194th General Court

AI Summary

  • Prohibits landlords from threatening to disclose or disclosing a tenant's immigration or citizenship status to any person or agency with intent to harass, intimidate, retaliate, or force the tenant to surrender possession
  • Bars landlords from bringing eviction actions based solely or partly on a tenant's immigration or citizenship status, unless required by law or court order
  • Preserves landlords' rights to comply with legal obligations, verify financial qualifications of prospective tenants, provide notices of lease violations, collect rent, and terminate tenancies under existing law
  • Allows tenants to sue for actual damages, civil penalties up to $2,000 per violation, reasonable attorney's fees, and other equitable relief
  • Prohibits inquiry into a tenant's immigration status in housing-related civil proceedings unless the tenant's status is directly at issue or inquiry is necessary to comply with federal law

Legislative Description

Protecting tenants from retaliation and coercion

Last Action

Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order

10/10/2025

Committee Referrals

Judiciary2/27/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available