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HD 5490

A monthly report of the Executive Office of the Trial Court (under Section 15(c) of Chapter 239 of the General Laws, as amended by Section 64 of Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2023) submitting its report on filings, actions, and dispositions of summary process cases relative to permanent rental protections

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

Requires Massachusetts Trial Court monthly reports on eviction filings and outcomes to monitor enforcement of rental protection laws.

Placed on file
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 5490

Legislative bill overview

HD 5490 requires the Executive Office of the Trial Court to submit monthly reports on summary process cases (eviction proceedings) with details on filings, actions, and dispositions. The bill mandates reporting on cases related to permanent rental protections under Massachusetts law, establishing ongoing oversight of how eviction cases are handled.

Why is this important

Eviction filings directly affect housing stability and homelessness rates. Monthly reporting provides transparency into how frequently landlords use summary process, how courts dispose of cases, and whether permanent rental protections are being properly applied, enabling legislators and advocates to monitor housing crisis trends and court performance.

Potential points of contention

  • Administrative burden: Monthly reporting requirements increase Trial Court workload and costs; the court must allocate resources to compile and submit detailed data regularly
  • Data interpretation: Raw filing and disposition statistics may not capture context (e.g., why cases were dismissed, settlement rates, or whether protections are actually preventing wrongful evictions)
  • Scope ambiguity: "Permanent rental protections" is undefined in the bill summary; unclear which specific protections are covered or how courts should categorize cases under this umbrella

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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