Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts S1447: An Act enabling cities and towns to stabilize rents and protect tenants
Status: In committee, July 13, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:
SECTION 1. Chapter 40P of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is repealed. SECTION 2. The General Laws are hereby amended by inserting after chapter 49A the following chapter:- CHAPTER 49B LIMITATION OF ANNUAL RENT INCREASES AND NO FAULT EVICTIONS Section 1. A city or town may accept this chapter in its entirety in the manner provided in section 4 of chapter 4 of the General Laws. The acceptance of this local option by a municipality shall take effect no later than 180 days after adoption. A municipality that accepts this section shall adopt an ordinance or bylaw which effectuates the provisions of this chapter no later than 180 days after acceptance. Section 2. A city or town accepting this chapter may, by local charter provision, ordinance, by-law, majority vote of its governing body or through a local binding ballot measure impose a limit on the size of annual rent increases and require that evictions be based on defined just cause reasons, for certain dwelling units within the municipality. Section 3. Exemptions. (a) For the purposes of this chapter, covered dwelling units shall not include: (i) Dwelling units in owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units. (ii) Dwelling units whose rent is subject to regulation by a public authority. Occupancy by a tenant with a mobile …
Sponsors
- Patricia Jehlen (D, Second Middlesex) · primary sponsor
- Danillo Sena (D)
- Nick Collins (D, First Suffolk)
- Pavel Payano (D)
- Joan Lovely (D, Second Essex)
- Lydia Edwards (D, Third Suffolk)
- Michael Barrett (D, Third Middlesex)
- Kennedy, Robyn K. (D, First Worcester)
- Liz Miranda (D)
- Vanna Howard (D, 17th Middlesex)
- Julian Cyr (D, Cape and Islands)
- Manny Cruz (D)
Latest actions
- : Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
- : Reporting date extended to Tuesday June 30, 2026
- : Hearing scheduled for 07/29/2025 from 01:00 PM-06:05 PM in Gardner Auditorium
- : Hearing rescheduled to 07/29/2025 from 01:00 PM-06:05 PM in Gardner Auditorium and Virtual<br> <span style="color: blue; font-style: italic;">Hearing updated to New End Time</span>
- : House concurred
- : Referred to the committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
Votes
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government (June 29, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is S1447?
- S1447 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act enabling cities and towns to stabilize rents and protect tenants.
- What is the status of S1447?
- In committee as of July 13, 2026. Latest action: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means (July 13, 2026).
- Who sponsored S1447?
- Patricia Jehlen (D, Second Middlesex), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for S1447?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1447
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.