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Bill

HD 1031

An Act relative to tenant data privacy

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Steve Owens and 1 co-sponsor

Bill requires Massachusetts landlords to disclose tenant data collection, allow access and deletion rights, and limits sharing with third parties without consent.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 1031

Legislative bill overview

HD 1031 establishes data privacy protections for residential tenants in Massachusetts, requiring landlords to disclose what personal information they collect, how it's used, and with whom it's shared. The bill also gives tenants rights to access, correct, and delete their data, with limited exceptions for legitimate business purposes.

Why is this important

Tenants currently have minimal legal protections regarding how landlords use and share their personal information, which can be sold to third parties, used for discriminatory screening, or mishandled. This bill addresses a significant power imbalance by applying privacy standards similar to those in consumer protection laws to the landlord-tenant relationship, affecting millions of renters.

Potential points of contention

  • Landlord operational burden: Compliance requirements could increase administrative costs, particularly for small landlords managing properties without dedicated staff
  • Data retention conflicts: Restrictions on data collection and retention may conflict with legitimate business needs (credit screening, criminal history, lease enforcement) and lead to litigation over what constitutes "necessary" information
  • Third-party vendor complications: Requiring landlords to control tenant data shared with background check companies, screening services, and property management software may be technically difficult and could disrupt existing industry practices

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

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