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S 992

Relates to care and protection of children

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rob Rolison

Creates a statewide, voluntary homesharing program for owner-occupied homes with below-market rent, standard agreements, safety checks, and a relief fund for relocations.

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Bill Summary · S 992

Bill Summary — S 992 (2025) — “An Act to expand housing options through homesharing” (NEWBORN Act title noted)

Note: The materials provided contain some conflicting metadata (an unrelated title at the top and differing sponsor lists). The bill text supplied and the docket filings show a Massachusetts Senate bill filed by Senator Dylan A. Fernandes (Senate No. 992 / Senate Docket No. 1833) that establishes a statewide homesharing program. This summary focuses on the substantive text of that homesharing bill.

Purpose / Intent

To expand housing options and increase affordable, below‑market housing opportunities by authorizing and regulating voluntary homesharing arrangements in owner‑occupied properties and creating a state program to oversee, standardize, and support such arrangements.

Key provisions

  • Creates a new Chapter 186B, “Homesharing,” in the Massachusetts General Laws and defines key terms: EOHLC (Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities), homesharing provider (owner-occupant), homesharer (occupant), homesharing property, homesharing agreement, and homesharing occupancy.
  • Establishes a voluntary homesharing program administered by EOHLC (or a contracted third party). EOHLC may charge a program/registration fee to fund program activities and a relief fund.
  • Requires a written homesharing agreement; EOHLC must set standard terms and provide a model agreement. Minimum required terms include:
    • Rent amount (below market), including shared utilities and adjustment for services.
    • Listing of shared/common and private spaces.
    • Agreed domestic services (if any) in exchange for reduced rent (examples: housekeeping, grocery shopping, meal prep, yard work). Services:
    • May not include health care, medical, or home care services.
    • May not exceed 7 hours per week and cannot be the primary purpose of the arrangement.
    • House rules and rules for modifications to premises.
    • Termination procedures: 30 days’ notice by either party for any reason; 3‑day emergency termination for specified conduct (e.g., nonpayment, property damage).
    • Parties to homesharing agreements are exempted from existing landlord‑tenant eviction procedures under M.G.L. Chapter 186.
  • Establishes the Homesharing Opportunity Relief Fund to receive appropriations and fee revenue; fund used to assist providers and homesharers for costs related to failed agreements or emergency relocation as defined by EOHLC.
  • Directs EOHLC to promulgate implementing regulations (per Chapter 30A) addressing program safety and oversight, including considerations for:
    • Peer state program models;
    • Registration fee structure and relief fund distributions;
    • Compliance with sanitary codes;
    • Background checks (criminal, credit, etc.);
    • Standardized notices, model agreements, trial periods, multi‑homesharer tenancy rules;
    • Coordination with Executive Office of Elder Affairs for protections of older adults.
  • Section 2: amends Chapter 175 by adding a Section 4I using the same defined homesharing terms (text truncated in provided materials; details not available).

Who is affected

  • Homeowners/owner‑occupants who want to rent a room or space at below‑market rent (homesharing providers).
  • Individuals seeking affordable shared housing (homesharers), including older adults and lower‑income residents.
  • EOHLC (program administration), potentially third‑party nonprofits/private administrators.
  • Local housing and elder services agencies (coordination and referrals).
  • The law creates a new regulatory structure distinct from standard landlord‑tenant law (eviction protections/exemptions).

Procedural / Timeline status (as provided)

  • Filed in Massachusetts Senate (Senate Docket No. 1833) — filed 1/16/2025.
  • Introduced in Senate/Read twice and referred to committee (dates in provided records vary: e.g., 3/12/2025).
  • Referred to Housing and/or Disabilities committees; a hearing was scheduled for 07/23/2025 (per supplied calendar).
  • Sponsor (bill text): Senator Dylan A. Fernandes (Plymouth & Barnstable). Related/companion items listed (HR 2040, SD 1833 replace, S 8179 prior session) in the supplied metadata.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Pros: Increases affordable housing supply by enabling owner‑occupied, below‑market room rentals; provides structure and consumer protections (model agreements, background checks, relief fund); may help seniors remain in their homes by offsetting costs.
  • Cons/Issues to watch: Exempting homesharing from standard landlord‑tenant eviction procedures may raise questions about due process and tenant protections; limitations on services (no medical care, 7‑hour cap) require clear enforcement; administrative costs and fee levels, and the adequacy of relief fund resources, will affect program viability.
  • Implementation will rely heavily on EOHLC regulations and any third‑party program operators.

If you want, I can:
- Produce a side‑by‑side comparison with current Massachusetts landlord‑tenant law (M.G.L. Chapter 186) to highlight legal differences; or
- Draft a short “FAQ for homeowners and homesharers” based on the bill’s requirements.

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

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