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S 1007

An Act to prevent and respond to bullying of elderly and disabled residents

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jo Comerford and 5 co-sponsors

Prohibits bullying of elderly/disabled residents in subsidized housing and requires the state AG to publish model prevention plans and resources within one year.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · S 1007

Summary — S.B. 1007: “An Act to prevent and respond to bullying of elderly and disabled residents”

(Note: materials provided contain documents from more than one jurisdiction and two different bills numbered S.1007. This summary focuses on the Massachusetts Senate bill (Senate Docket No. 1572 / S.B. 1007) that matches the above title. A separate Idaho S.1007 in the packet amends school‑board public comment rules — that bill is summarized briefly at the end.)

Main purpose

Create statutory protections and required prevention/response measures addressing bullying (including cyber‑bullying, group/social bullying, and “mobbing”) in “covered residential communities” that serve primarily older adults (55+) and/or persons with disabilities, and to require model plans, training, and resources to assist owners/managers in preventing and responding to such conduct.

Key provisions (from the available text)

  • Definitions: Establishes specific statutory definitions for terms including:
    • “Bullying” — repeated written, verbal, electronic, physical act or gesture that causes physical or emotional harm, places a victim in reasonable fear, creates a hostile environment, infringes rights, or substantially disrupts peaceful enjoyment.
    • “Cyber‑bullying,” “group or social bullying,” “mobbing,” “hostile environment,” “owner/managers,” “perpetrator,” “victim,” and “residential property and grounds.”
  • Scope / Prohibition:
    • Prohibits bullying on residential property and grounds, at owner/manager‑ or resident‑sponsored activities (on or off grounds), and via electronic means where the conduct creates a hostile environment or interferes with a resident’s rights or peaceful enjoyment.
    • Specifically prohibits retaliation against persons who report bullying, provide information in an investigation, or witness bullying.
  • State role and resources:
    • Directs the Commonwealth’s Attorney General civil rights division, in consultation with state agencies (public health, mental health, executive office of elder affairs, office on disability, housing agencies including MassHousing), district attorneys association, tenant organizations, owner/manager representatives, and subject‑matter experts, to:
    • Publish a model bullying prevention and intervention “plan” and training curricula for owner/managers to consider; and
    • Compile and make available a list of bullying‑prevention/intervention resources, evidence‑based curricula, best practices and research.
    • The AG’s civil rights division must complete and publish these resources within one year of the legislation’s enactment.
  • Other procedural elements:
    • The bill text (as provided) continues beyond the excerpt; the full statute likely sets out additional operational requirements (plan contents, notice & reporting procedures, investigation timelines, owner/manager duties, and enforcement or remedies), but those provisions are not fully included in the supplied excerpt.

Who is affected

  • Residents of “covered residential communities” (defined as HUD‑ or Commonwealth‑subsidized multifamily developments intended primarily for persons aged 55+ and/or persons with disabilities).
  • Owner(s), property managers and management agents (“owner/managers”) of such communities.
  • Community employees, visitors, and other residents (as potential perpetrators or witnesses).
  • State agencies and the Attorney General’s civil rights division (charged with producing model plans and guidance).

Timeline / procedural notes

  • The Massachusetts docket filed date shown: January 16, 2025, and the bill includes petitioners/sponsors such as Senator Joan B. Lovely. The text directs the AG’s civil rights division to publish model plans and curricula within one year after enactment.
  • The supplied packet also contains unrelated legislative actions and a separate Idaho S.1007 (amending Idaho Code §33‑510 on public comment at school board meetings with an emergency effective date of July 1, 2025). Those Idaho actions (committee reports, readings, and a listed Governor’s signature) do not pertain to the Massachusetts housing bill summarized above.

Notes and limitations

  • The provided Massachusetts bill excerpt is truncated after the resources requirement. The summary above emphasizes provisions present in the excerpt; the full bill may include additional mandatory duties for owner/managers (e.g., required plan elements, reporting/notice procedures, investigation requirements, sanctions or civil remedies, or funding/implementation details).
  • Because the packet mixes materials from different jurisdictions and two distinct S.1007 bills, consult the official bill text in the Massachusetts Legislative Records (Senate Docket No. 1572 / S.B. 1007) for the complete, authoritative language and any subsequent amendments or committee reports.

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

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