Bill > S981

This bill establishes a mandatory comprehensive housing and land use training program for elected or appointed members of municipal boards and commissions that deal with land usage. The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities will develop the training program in collaboration with various professional planning and housing organizations, including the Massachusetts Citizen Planner Training Collaborative and MassHousing. The training will cover key topics such as fair housing laws and municipal zoning authority, with the Secretary having discretion to add additional training elements. Participants must complete the training within 6 months of starting their term and then be retrained every 4 years. Failure to complete the required training will result in automatic termination of board or commission membership, with the vacancy to be filled through the same process as the original appointment or election. Municipalities may choose to offer annual or biennial training sessions to help members meet these requirements.

Budget and Finance, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S981