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H 1814

An Act to create the office of the tenant advocate in the Office of the Attorney General

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Sally Kerans

Creates the Office of the Tenant Advocate in the Massachusetts AGO to represent tenants in public/subsidized housing, intervene in proceedings, and curb harassment to protect peaceful enjoyment.

Hearing scheduled for 10/21/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
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Bill Summary · H 1814

Comprehensive Summary: House Bill H 1814 – An Act to create the office of the tenant advocate in the Office of the Attorney General

Overview

  • Bill number: H 1814
  • Title: An Act to create the office of the tenant advocate in the Office of the Attorney General
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Status: Hearing scheduled October 21, 2025 (1:00 PM – 5:00 PM) in hearing room A-2
  • Legislative actions to date: Senate concurrence on February 27, 2025; referred to the Judiciary Committee
  • Related materials: Similar matter previously filed as House No. 3868 (2023-2024); related to HD 1704 (replaces)

Purpose and intent

The bill seeks to establish an Office of the Tenant Advocate within the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General (AGO). The advocate would represent and defend the rights of tenants in public or subsidized housing, focusing on ensuring the peaceful enjoyment of their residences and addressing hostile environment harassment. The AGO would be empowered to intervene in administrative, regulatory, or judicial matters on tenants’ behalf and to hold landlords or housing authorities accountable for misconduct such as harassment.

Key provisions and changes

  • Creation of the Office of the Tenant Advocate:
    • The AGO shall establish an internal Office of the Tenant Advocate to oversee tenant-related advocacy and enforcement.
    • The tenant advocate, acting through the AGO, can intervene, appear, and participate in proceedings on behalf of tenants.
  • Definitions added to Chapter 12, Section 36 (new section):
    • Bullying: Any mode of communication or behavior intended to hurt, demean, or control a target, including social pressures and isolation.
    • Hostile environment harassment: Unwelcome conduct (spoken, written, or physical) that is severe or pervasive enough to interfere with a tenant’s right to peaceful enjoyment of their housing; can include bullying or mobbing; may be established by considering factors such as severity, frequency, duration, context, and relationships involved. Psychological or physical harm is not a prerequisite, though such harm may influence damages.
    • Mobing: Group or community harassment intended to pressure a tenant to leave their residence, potentially supported by a landlord or housing authority.
    • Peaceful enjoyment: The right to use and enjoy a home and common spaces without interference; the landlord/housing authority bears responsibility for ensuring this right.
  • Authority and role (Section 36(b)):
    • The AGO, through the tenant advocate, may intervene in proceedings to protect tenants’ rights to peaceful enjoyment and to investigate/correct harassment; can pursue accountability against landlords or housing authorities for hostile environment harassment.

Who and what is affected

  • Tenants in public or subsidized housing who experience bullying, hostile environment harassment, or mobbing.
  • Landlords and housing authorities managing public or subsidized housing.
  • The Office of the Attorney General, which would assume new responsibilities via the Tenant Advocate to represent tenants in various proceedings.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and committee action:
    • Filed January 15, 2025; House Docket No. 1814; referred to The Judiciary.
    • Senate concurrence occurred on February 27, 2025.
  • Hearing:
    • Scheduled for October 21, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in room A-2.
  • Implementation: The bill would add a new section (Section 36) to Chapter 12 of the General Laws, creating a structural change inside the AGO and establishing ongoing advocacy authority.

Potential impact

  • Enhanced legal and administrative support for tenants in public/subsidized housing.
  • Formalized mechanisms to address harassment and protect tenants’ rights to peaceful enjoyment.
  • Increased accountability for landlords and housing authorities through AGO oversight and intervention.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary for a policy brief, a public-facing explainer, or a legislative tracking sheet with dates and committee activity.

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

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