KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to Massachusetts

H1499 • 2025

An Act to establish community notification standards for group homes

An Act to establish community notification standards for group homes

Housing
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Patricia A. Duffy
Last action
2026-04-13
Official status
Accompanied a study order, see H5352 (under House Rule 27)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

An Act to establish community notification standards for group homes

An Act to establish community notification standards for group homes By Representative Duffy of Holyoke, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No.

What This Bill Does

  • An Act to establish community notification standards for group homes By Representative Duffy of Holyoke, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No.
  • 1499) of Patricia A.
  • Duffy relative to standards for group homes.
  • Housing.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-13 House

    Accompanied a study order, see H5352 (under House Rule 27)

  2. 2025-10-03 Joint

    Hearing scheduled for 10/15/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1

  3. 2025-02-27 House

    Referred to the committee on Housing

  4. 2025-02-27 Senate

    Senate concurred

  5. House

    Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order

Official Summary Text

An Act to establish community notification standards for group homes
By Representative Duffy of Holyoke, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1499) of Patricia A. Duffy relative to standards for group homes. Housing.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
×

Bill H.1499

SECTION 1. Chapter 40A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 3 the following section:-

Section 3A. (a) The following words as used in this section, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, shall have the following meanings:-

“Group home”, any residential facility licensed or operated by the commonwealth or a contracted agency that provides housing and support services for individuals with disabilities, mental health needs, or other vulnerable populations.

“Municipality”, any city or town within the commonwealth of Massachusetts.

“Abutting property owner”, any individual or entity owning property directly adjacent to a group home.

(b) Any entity establishing a new group home shall provide written notice to the host municipality and abutting property owners at least 60 days prior to commencing operations. The notice shall include:

(1) the address of the group home;

(2) the type of services provided at the group home; and

(3) contact information for the operator or managing entity.

(c) Any group home failing to comply with the PILOT or notification requirements may be subject to penalties, including but not limited to:

(1) financial penalties up to $5,000 per violation; and

(2) suspension of state funding or licensing.

(d) The executive office of housing and livable communities shall submit an annual report to the legislature detailing:

(1) compliance rates with the notification requirements; and

(2) the number of group homes in each municipality.

(e) The executive office of housing and livable communities shall oversee the implementation and enforcement of this section.

SECTION 2. Existing group homes shall, within six months of the passage of this act, submit notification to their host municipality and abutting property owners in compliance with subsection (b) of section 1 of this act.

SECTION 3. If any provision of this act is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2026.

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The General Court provides this information as a public service and while we endeavor to keep the data accurate and current to the best of our ability, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

Close