• House Bill 1682/Senate Bill 1048, An Act relative to summary process and rental assistance, filed by Representative Sam Montaño and Senator Liz Miranda
• This bill would put into statute the two-tier process for residential summary process (eviction) cases and make so-called Chapter 257 eviction protections permanent. The bill would ensure that cases cannot be defaulted or dismissed because a party missed a first-tier event, where the case status is determined, and that all parties receive written notice of the date of any second-tier events/trials. The bill also seeks to restore Chapter 257 eviction protections and make them permanent. The bill would provide continuances and stays of execution on judgments for possession in cases where tenants have pending applications for rental assistance through programs such as Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT.)
• As we previously reported, the House of Representatives included an outside section in their version of the FY24 budget last month that would make the Chapter 257 eviction protections permanent. The House budget, however, did not include language to codify the two-tier process.
• We will be testifying in support of these bills, and asking the committee to amend language in the final line of the bills so as to require stays of execution on judgments for possession in cases where tenants have pending applications for rental assistance.

• House Bill 1731, An Act promoting access to counsel and housing stability in Massachusetts, filed by Representative Dave Rogers and Representative Michael Day
• This bill seeks to expand access counsel and level the playing field by increasing the number of low-income tenants, occupants, and certain owner-occupants with representation in court during eviction proceedings.
• We will be testifying in support of this bill.
• The companion version of this bill, Senate Bill 864, was assigned to the Joint Committee on Housing and will be heard at a different time.

• House Bill 1690/Senate Bill 956, An Act promoting housing opportunity and mobility through eviction sealing (HOMES), filed by Representative Mike Moran and Senator Lydia Edwards
• We will ask the committee to strengthen this bill by setting automatic timelines for eviction record sealing, instead of the current proposal to require tenants to petition the court.

• Judiciary Committee membership
• Hearing page on the Legislature's website
• Hearing topics: Property, land, and tenancy
• Date: Tuesday, May 9th
• Time: 1–5 p.m.
• Location: Massachusetts State House, Room A-2 and online
• Registration form to provide oral testify (in-person or online)
• How to submit written testimony to the Committee:
• Email address: michael.musto@mahouse.gov
• Mailing address: Joint Committee on the Judiciary, Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon Street, Room 136, Boston, MA 02133