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S 964

Relates to the prohibition on certain databases and registries

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jamaal Bailey and 5 co-sponsors

Creates a commission to study and propose a building-code amendment allowing single-stair, up to six-story multi-family buildings with safety measures, plus a plan and funding.

REFERRED TO CODES
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Bill Summary · S 964

Summary — S.964: Property Improvement and Manufactured Housing Loan Modernization Act of 2025

Note: The bill text as filed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is titled “An Act to study single-stair residential buildings.” (Senate Docket No. 804 / Senate No. 964). Some accompanying metadata lists additional sponsors from other jurisdictions; this summary focuses on the bill language and Massachusetts legislative record.

Purpose

Create a special commission to study conditions under which single-stair, multi‑family residential buildings up to six stories could be legalized in Massachusetts and to develop a recommended building-code amendment (including safety mitigation measures) and an implementation plan.

Key provisions

  • Establishes a special commission charged with studying and defining conditions for legalizing Single‑Stair Multi‑Family Residential buildings up to six stories.
  • Directs the commission to produce a building code amendment that:
    • Allows single‑stair multi‑family residential buildings up to six stories where appropriate;
    • Specifies measures to mitigate adverse health and safety impacts unique to single‑stair buildings.
  • Requires the study to build on the existing report "Legalizing Mid‑Rise Single‑Stair Housing in Massachusetts" (Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, Boston Indicators, Utile).
  • Mandates a technical safety comparison of single‑stair versus two‑stair residential buildings and a process map and timeline for implementing the proposed code amendment.
  • Allocates $250,000 from the General Fund to cover costs of developing the study and recommendations.

Commission membership (by appointment categories)

The commission shall include:
- 1 representative of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts
- 2 members of the American Institute of Architects
- 1 practicing fire engineer (representing NFPA)
- 2 representatives from the Board of Building Regulations and Standards
- 1 representative from the American Planning Association, MA Chapter
- 1 representative from the Home Builders and Remodelers Association
- 1 representative from NAIOP
- 1 representative from the Center for Building in North America
- 1 municipal building official employed by a municipality with a Class 1 Fire Department
- 1 representative from Abundant Housing Massachusetts

Who would be affected

  • Municipal building officials, planners, and fire departments (implementation, enforcement, and safety oversight).
  • Developers, builders, and remodelers of multi‑family housing.
  • Residents of mid‑rise apartment buildings and prospective tenants/homebuyers.
  • State building-code authorities (implementation and amendment of code).
  • Potentially the housing supply and housing affordability dynamics in jurisdictions that adopt the code amendment.

Timeline & procedural status

  • Filed: 01/14/2025 (Senate Docket No. 804)
  • Introduced / Read twice and referred: 03/11/2025 (referred to Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs per some records; also recorded as REFERRED TO CODES)
  • Other actions: Hearing scheduled 06/25/2025 (B‑1); accompanied a new draft S.2647 on 10/23/2025.
  • Current status (in provided metadata): REFERRED TO CODES.

The bill text does not specify a statutory deadline for the commission’s report.

Potential impact and considerations

  • If the commission recommends and the legislature/adopting authority implements a code amendment, some mid‑rise projects that currently require two egress stairs could be allowed as single‑stair buildings subject to safety conditions — potentially lowering construction costs and enabling more mid‑rise housing development.
  • The required technical study and mitigation measures aim to address fire and life‑safety concerns; outcomes depend on the commission’s findings and the rigor of recommended safeguards.
  • Budget impact: one‑time allocation of $250,000 from the General Fund to support the study.

Related measures

  • Replaces SD 804; related/prior-session bills listed include S.4234, S.1853, S.798, S.3159; companion bill A.5076. A new draft is noted as S.2647.

If you want, I can extract the precise statutory text proposed for the code amendment (if available in S.2647 or companion A.5076) or draft a short brief on likely policy implications for municipal building departments.

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

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