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H 4024

Dr. Edward Eckhart, service

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terry Alexander and 121 co-sponsors

DPH must study mold in multi-unit housing, including feasibility of elimination, moisture causes, and other states’ standards, to inform potential future mold policies.

Scrivener's error corrected
0
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Bill Summary · H 4024

Summary — H 4024 (House Docket No. 1197)

Title: An Act relative to a study to determine standards of mold levels in multi‑unit dwellings
Classification: Concurrent resolution (filed in the 194th General Court)
Primary sponsor: Rep. Bruce J. Ayers

Purpose and intent

H 4024 directs the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) to undertake a focused study on mold and mold spores in multi‑unit dwellings across the Commonwealth. The study is intended to: (1) assess whether mold and mold spores can be completely eliminated in such housing; (2) examine causes and presence of excess moisture that enable mold growth; and (3) analyze other states’ laws and standards that define dangerous levels or types of mold. The goal is to inform potential standards, recommendations, and legislative/implementing actions to protect public health in multi‑unit housing.

Key provisions

  • DPH is authorized and required to conduct a study of mold and mold spores in multi‑unit dwellings. The study must include, at minimum:
    • Evaluation of the feasibility of complete mold/mold‑spore elimination in multi‑unit housing;
    • Investigation of causes and presence of excess moisture that foster mold growth; and
    • Comparative analysis of other states’ laws and standards that establish thresholds or definitions of hazardous mold.
  • Public engagement: DPH must hold at least one public hearing as part of the study.
  • Reporting: DPH must submit a final report with findings, recommendations, and any proposed standards or legislative language necessary to implement them to:
    • The Joint Committee on Public Health;
    • The House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means; and
    • The Clerks of the House and Senate.
  • Deadline for report submission: December 31, 2026.

Who would be affected

  • Tenants and residents of multi‑unit dwellings (health and housing conditions).
  • Landlords, property managers and owners of multi‑unit housing (potential future remediation, maintenance, or compliance obligations).
  • Local and state public health authorities and housing/code enforcement agencies (may be asked to adopt or enforce standards).
  • State legislature and committees (will receive DPH recommendations and potential proposed legislation).

Timeline and procedural status (selected actions)

  • Filed/House docketed: Jan 14, 2025 (House Docket No. 1197).
  • Introduced/adopted in House and sent to Senate: Feb 18–19, 2025.
  • Scrivener’s error corrected: Feb 20, 2025.
  • Referred to Committee on Public Health: Apr 10, 2025.
  • Senate concurred: Apr 14, 2025.
  • Hearing(s) scheduled/rescheduled: originally scheduled for 09/10/2025 (various time updates; includes virtual option).

Potential impact and next steps

  • The immediate effect is an evidence‑gathering requirement for DPH; no regulatory standards are created by this resolution itself.
  • Depending on DPH findings and recommendations, the legislature could introduce bills or require regulatory changes establishing quantitative or qualitative mold standards, remediation obligations, inspection protocols, funding for remediation, or tenant protections.
  • Implementation could involve fiscal impacts for remediation and enforcement, potential changes to building codes, and public health benefits from reduced exposure.

Note on document content / scrivener’s error

The bill file included text from an unrelated South Carolina concurrent resolution honoring “Dr. Edward Eckert Jr., DDS” (multiple insertions). The record notes a scrivener’s error was corrected on Feb 20, 2025. The substantive Massachusetts measure is the DPH mold study described above.

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

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