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H 1578

An Act relative to background checks for individuals in Massachusetts housing programs

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Brad Jones and 3 co-sponsors

The bill requires full background checks for all housing applicants, including criminal, employment, immigration, and financial verifications, to determine eligibility.

Accompanied a study order, see H5352 (under House Rule 27)
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Bill Summary · H 1578

Summary: H 1578 — An Act relative to background checks for individuals in Massachusetts housing programs

Overview

H 1578, introduced February 27, 2025, seeks to implement comprehensive background checks for individuals applying to participate in Massachusetts housing programs. The bill would require licensed, approved background investigations, expand data sharing with law enforcement via the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), establish eligibility criteria based on serious criminal history, and impose confidentiality and auditing requirements. A hearing is scheduled for October 15, 2025 (1:00 PM–5:00 PM, in hearing room A-1).

Purpose and intent

  • To enhance safety and integrity in state-funded, federally-funded, or state-subsidized housing programs by systematically screening applicants.
  • To verify identity, assess risk, and ensure program participants meet specified eligibility standards.
  • To standardize background check processes across housing programs and align with applicable privacy and data-protection laws.

Key provisions

Section 1 – Definitions

  • Housing Program: Any state-funded, federally-funded, or state-subsidized housing program (e.g., public housing, rental assistance, transitional housing).
  • Background Check: A comprehensive review including criminal history (state, national, international), employment and education verification, immigration/residency status, financial history/credit where relevant, SSN verification, ID validation, and checks against sex offender and other safety registries.
  • Applicant: Any person applying for housing program participation, including the head of household and all adult household members.
  • Registry of Motor Vehicles Data: All DMV records (licenses, registrations, IDs) used in the process.

Section 2 – Background checks

  • All applicants must undergo a full background check prior to acceptance.
  • Checks must be conducted by an approved/licensed entity compliant with laws including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
  • Required elements: criminal history (state, national, international); employment/education verification; immigration/residency verification; financial history/creditworthiness if applicable; SSN verification and ID validation; screening of sex offender registries and other safety databases.

Section 3 – DMV data access

  • The RMV must provide full access to its database to local, state, and federal law enforcement upon request for background checks, investigations, or identity/residency verification.
  • Access must comply with privacy laws; secure systems must track data access and prevent unauthorized use.

Section 4 – Eligibility and exceptions

  • Individuals with certain criminal convictions (violent offenses, sexual offenses, fraud, or other serious offenses) within the past 10 years may be deemed ineligible, subject to review by the administering agency.
  • Immigration status verification to ensure program compliance.
  • Limited circumstances for appeals or exemptions, at the administering housing agency’s discretion, upon rehabilitation, mitigating factors, or compelling need.

Section 5 – Confidentiality and privacy

  • All information gathered is confidential and used solely for program purposes.
  • Agencies must maintain secure storage and handling; processes must comply with privacy laws, including GDPR when applicable to international applicants.

Section 6 – Administration and audits

  • The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHHLC) is responsible for implementation.
  • RMV collaborates with law enforcement to develop secure data-access protocols.
  • Annual audits by EOHHLC and RMV to ensure compliance.

Section 7 – Penalties

  • Violations by agencies or entities administering housing programs or handling data may result in penalties, including fines, suspension of funding, or other sanctions.

Who is affected

  • Applicants and household members seeking housing program participation.
  • Housing program administrators and agencies.
  • Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles and law enforcement entities involved in background checks.
  • Private background-check entities contracted to perform the investigations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Referred to the House Committee on Housing on February 27, 2025.
  • Senate concurrence noted in the legislative actions; experiments/advancement TBD.
  • Hearing scheduled for October 15, 2025 (1:00–5:00 PM, A-1).

Related information

  • Related bill HD 2116 is noted as replacing the prior version.
  • The bill emphasizes privacy protections, data security, and ongoing oversight through annual audits.

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

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