Bill > H4457

This bill aims to strengthen housing discrimination prevention in Massachusetts by making several key changes to existing laws. The bill modifies the Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salesmen to include a member with expertise in fair housing, civil rights, or representation from a tenants' organization receiving public rental assistance. It requires the board to publish quarterly reports on newly licensed members and detailed summaries of complaints, investigations, and disciplinary actions related to housing discrimination. The bill mandates automatic license suspension for real estate professionals found to have violated fair housing laws, with 60-day suspensions for first offenses and 180-day suspensions for repeat offenders within two years. Additionally, the bill requires real estate salesman license applicants to complete 40 hours of training, including at least 4 hours on fair housing law and diversity, and mandates that licensed professionals complete 6-12 hours of continuing education, with at least 2 hours focused on fair housing and diversity in real estate. These provisions are designed to increase accountability, education, and transparency in the real estate industry to combat housing discrimination.

Budget and Finance

Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure (J)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4457