Archive of Previous Bills

Bills for 2017-2018

The bills for the 2017-2018 legislative session, with their House and Senate Bill numbers and lead sponsors, are listed below. The session is scheduled to end on July 31, 2018.

A summary Fact Sheet for all nine bills is now available: ( PDF )

An Act to Facilitate Alternatives to Foreclosure (S500/H550)
Lead Sponsors: Sen. Harriette Chandler and Rep. Mary Keefe
Senate Bill text: ( PDF )
MAAPL Fact Sheet on this bill: ( PDF )

An Act Clarifying Municipal Authority Regarding Cash Sureties (S884/H1115)
Lead Sponsors: Sen. Eric Lesser, Sen. Harriette Chandler, Sen. Thomas McGee and Rep. Jose Tosado
Senate Bill text: ( PDF )
MAAPL Fact Sheet on this bill: ( PDF )

An Act Relative to the Improvement in the Process for Collecting Delinquent Property Taxes (H3336)
Lead Sponsor: Rep. John Mahoney
Senate Bill text: ( PDF )
MAAPL Fact Sheet on this bill: ( PDF )

An Act preventing unnecessary vacancies in foreclosed homes (S841/H956)
Lead Sponsors: Sen. James Eldridge and Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez
Senate Bill text: ( PDF )
MAAPL Fact Sheet on this bill: ( PDF )

An Act Relative to the Tax Relief of Mortgage Debt (S1512/​H​3337)
Lead Sponsors: Sen. Sal DiDomenico and Rep. Elizabeth Malia
Senate Bill text: ( PDF )
MAAPL Fact Sheet on this bill: ( PDF )

An Act to amend the foreclosure statute to require judicial foreclosure (S763/H2349)
Lead Sponsor: Sen. Michael Brady and Rep. Frank Smizik
Senate Bill text: ( PDF )
MAAPL Fact Sheet on this bill: ( PDF )

An Act establishing a foreclosure review division (S903/H3059)
Lead Sponsors: Sen. Thomas McGee and Rep. Carlos Gonzalez
Senate Bill text: ( PDF )
MAAPL Fact Sheet on this bill: ( PDF )

Real Estate Title Protection Act (H3500)
Lead Sponsors: Rep. Frank Moran and Rep. Paul Mark
Senate/House Bill text: ( PDF )
MAAPL Fact Sheet on this bill: ( PDF )

An Act to Establish a Resolution Trust Fund for Receipt of Reasonable Mortgage Payments (H3676)
Lead Sponsor: Rep. Michelle DuBois
Senate/House Bill text: ( PDF )
MAAPL Fact Sheet on this bill: ( PDF )


Bills for 2015-2016

A summary Fact Sheet for all 9 bills is now available: ( PDF )

An Act to Prevent Unnecessary Vacancies  in Foreclosed Homes (S807/H1579)
Lead Sponsors: Rep. Jeff Sanchez; Sen. Jamie Eldridge
House Bill text: ( PDF )
Senate Bill text: ( PDF )
MAAPL Fact Sheet on this bill: ( PDF )

An Act to Facilitate Alternatives to Foreclosure (S482/H888)
Lead Sponsors: Rep. Mary S. Keefe; Sen. Harriet Chandler
House Bill text: ( PDF )
Senate Bill text: ( PDF )
MAAPL Fact Sheet on this bill: ( PDF )

An Act to Establish Foreclosure Review Division of the Superior Court
(S871/H1640)

Lead Sponsors: Rep. Aaron Vega; Sen. Thomas McGee
House Bill text: ( PDF )
Senate Bill text: ( PDF )
MAAPL Fact Sheet on this bill: ( PDF )

An Act Relative to the Improvement in the Process for Collecting Delinquent Property Taxes (S1463/H2605)
Lead Sponsors: Rep. John Mahoney; Sen. Sal DiDomenico
House Bill text: ( PDF )
Senate Bill text: ( PDF )
MAAPL Fact Sheet on this bill: ( PDF )

An Act to Ensure Reliable Land Title to Bolster Local Home Ownership and Business Creation (S805/H1625)
Lead Sponsors: Rep. Benjamin Swan and Ellen Story; Sen. Eileen T. Donoghue
House Bill text: ( PDF )
Senate Bill text: ( PDF )
MAAPL Fact Sheet on this bill: ( PDF )

An Act Relative to Vacant and Foreclosed Property (S1090/H1498)
Lead Sponsors: Rep. Frank Moran; Sen. Barbara L’Italien
House Bill text: ( PDF )
Senate Bill text: ( PDF )
MAAPL Fact Sheet on this bill: ( PDF )

An Act Relative to the Tax Relief of Mortgage Debt (H3770*)
Lead Sponsors: Rep. Elizabeth A. Malia; Sen. Sal DiDomenico
House and Senate Bill text: ( PDF )
MAAPL Fact Sheet on this bill: ( PDF )
*Bill revised by the Revenue Committee and assigned a new bill number (H3770 for both the original House and Senate bills).

An Act to Require Judicial Foreclosure (S852/H1599)
Lead Sponsors: Rep. Frank Smizik; Sen. Timothy M. Kennedy
House Bill text: ( PDF )
Senate Bill text: ( PDF )
MAAPL Fact Sheet on this bill: ( PDF )

An Act to Establish a Resolution Trust Fund (H835)
Lead Sponsor: Rep. Michelle DuBois
House Bill text: ( PDF )
MAAPL Fact Sheet on this bill: ( PDF )


Bills for 2013-2014

An Act to Facilitate Alternatives to Foreclosure
Senate Bill text – S425 ( DOC | PDF )
House Bill text – H947 ( DOC | PDF )
Lead sponsors: Senator Harriette L. Chandler; Representatives John J. Mahoney, James J. O’Day, Mary S. Keefe
Committee: Financial Services
MAAPL Fact Sheet on this legislation ( PDF )

An Act to Prevent Unnecessary Vacancies in Foreclosed Homes
Bill text: S728/H1596* ( DOC | PDF )
Lead sponsor: Senator James B. Eldridge, Representative Jeffrey Sanchez
Committee: Judiciary
MAAPL Fact Sheet on this legislation ( DOC | PDF )

* Note: This legislation was only filed in the Senate, but both Senators and Representatives can co-sponsor it, and it can be considered and voted on in both chambers.

An Act to Amend the Foreclosure Statute to Require Judicial Foreclosure
Senate Bill text – S753 ( DOC | PDF )
House Bill text – H1617 ( DOC | PDF )
Lead sponsors: Representative Frank I. Smizik, Senator Thomas P. Kennedy
Committee: Judiciary
MAAPL Fact Sheet on this legislation ( DOC | PDF )

An Act Relative to the Relief of Mortgage Debt
Senate Bill text – S1323 ( DOC | PDF )
House Bill text – H2664 ( DOC | PDF )
Lead sponsors: Representative Elizabeth A. Malia, Senator Sal N. DiDomenico
Committee: Revenue (Note: Hearing held 5/14/2013)
MAAPL Fact Sheet on this legislation ( DOC | PDF )


Bills for 2011-2012

An Act to Prevent Unnecessary Vacancies in Foreclosed Homes (S767/H493)
Bill text: (DOC | PDF )
Lead Sponsors: Senator James B. Eldridge, Representative Jeffrey Sanchez
MAAPL Fact Sheet on this legislation ( DOC )

An Act to Amend the Foreclosure Statute to Require Judicial Foreclosure (S809/H503)
Bill text: ( DOC | PDF )
Lead Sponsors: Senator Thomas Kennedy, Representative Frank I. Smizik
MAAPL Fact Sheet on this legislation ( DOC )

An Act to Enable Judicial Clarification of Ownership in Evictions (S684/H2240)
Bill text: ( DOC | PDF )
Lead Sponsors: Senator Katherine Clark, Representative Elizabeth A. Malia
MAAPL Fact Sheet on this legislation ( DOC | PDF )

An Act to Establish Mandatory Foreclosure Mediation with Judicial Review (S673/H1355)
Bill text: ( DOC | PDF )
Lead Sponsors: Senator Harriette Chandler; Representatives Vincent Pedone, James O’Day, and John Mahoney
MAAPL Fact Sheet on this legislation ( DOC )

MAAPL Summary Fact Sheet for 2011-12 Bills ( PDF )

Text of H4323, An Act preventing unlawful and unnecessary foreclosures (PDF)

Commentary by Grace Ross related to the Division of Banks proposed regulations required by Chapter 194, An Act preventing unlawful and unnecessary foreclosures (PDF)

Commentary by Nadine Cohen of Greater Boston Legal Services related to the Division of Banks proposed regulations required by Chapter 194, An Act preventing unlawful and unnecessary foreclosures (PDF)

Commentary from the National Consumer Law Center on An Act preventing unlawful and unnecessary foreclosures (PDF)