Bill > H961

This bill aims to provide legal services to small business property owners. The key provisions are: 1. It amends Chapter 221A of the General Laws to define "qualified small business land owner" (QSBLO) as a landowner owning three or fewer properties with annual income below guidelines set by the Board or whose property(ies) fall within loan-to-value ratio guidelines established by the Board. 2. It requires that at least 80% of the financial assistance provided by the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation be distributed to local programs, and up to 20% to statewide programs, based on the number of eligible clients, including both tenants and QSBLO landlords involved in landlord-tenant disputes. 3. It directs the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation to establish guidelines for determining qualified small business land owners based on income or property loan-to-value ratio. The bill seeks to maintain parity in legal services for both small business property owners and their tenants involved in landlord-tenant disputes.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H961