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SD 2209

An Act relative to access to air conditioning and relief from oppressive heat

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mark Montigny

Massachusetts law requiring landlords to provide air conditioning or maintain indoor temperatures below specified limits to protect tenant health during heat waves.

House concurred
0
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Bill Summary · SD 2209

Legislative bill overview

SD 2209 requires landlords in Massachusetts to provide adequate air conditioning or cooling systems in rental properties, or alternatively mandates that indoor temperatures not exceed a specified threshold during hot weather. The bill establishes standards for heat relief and creates enforcement mechanisms for tenant complaints about inadequate cooling.

Why is this important

Heat-related illness and death disproportionately affect renters, elderly populations, and low-income households who may lack resources to install air conditioning independently. As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of heat waves, access to cooling has become a public health necessity rather than a luxury amenity, particularly in densely populated urban areas.

Potential points of contention

  • Landlord compliance costs: Installing or upgrading air conditioning systems represents significant capital expenses that property owners may pass on to tenants through higher rents, potentially worsening housing affordability
  • Definitional ambiguity: The bill's specifications around "adequate" cooling and temperature thresholds require clear regulatory definition; overly stringent standards could be difficult to enforce uniformly
  • Existing housing stock challenges: Older buildings common in Massachusetts may have structural limitations making AC installation impractical or prohibitively expensive without substantial renovation
  • Geographic fairness: Requiring cooling across all regions may be unnecessary in cooler northern areas while creating uneven regulatory burdens

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

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