Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

Massachusetts Senate Bill S900 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	1 of 1
2	2	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1534 FILED ON: 1/19/2023
3	3	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 900
4	4	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
5	5	_________________
6	6	PRESENTED BY:
7	7	Rebecca L. Rausch
8	8	_________________
9	9	To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
10	10	Court assembled:
11	11	The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
12	12	An Act relative to electronic meetings and voting in condominiums.
13	13	_______________
14	14	PETITION OF:
15	15	NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Rebecca L. RauschNorfolk, Worcester and Middlesex 1 of 3
16	16	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1534 FILED ON: 1/19/2023
17	17	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 900
18	18	By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 900) of Rebecca L. Rausch for
19	19	legislation relative to electronic meetings and voting in condominiums. Housing.
20	20	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
21	21	_______________
22	22	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
23	23	(2023-2024)
24	24	_______________
25	25	An Act relative to electronic meetings and voting in condominiums.
26	26	Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
27	27	of the same, as follows:
28	28	1 Chapter 183A of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-
29	29	2 Section 24. Notwithstanding any provisions in the master deed, declaration of trust or
30	30	3bylaws of any condominium submitted to the provisions of this chapter to the contrary:
31	31	4 (a) The governing body of the organization of unit owners may conduct any regularly
32	32	5scheduled or special meeting of said governing body by telephonic or video conference call, or
33	33	6by interactive electronic communication process provided that all participants can hear all
34	34	7conversations. Presence by such electronic means shall constitute presence for purposes of any
35	35	8quorum requirements. The governing body may vote on any action properly before them and
36	36	9approve minutes of any meeting through the use of electronic means as approved by the
37	37	10governing body, including, but not limited to, email, video conferencing, fax machine, or PDF
38	38	11files transmitted over the internet. 2 of 3
39	39	12 (b) The governing body of the organization of unit owners may conduct any annual or
40	40	13special meeting of the unit owners where the unit owners are not physically present at the
41	41	14meeting, but are able to participate in said meeting by telephonic or video conference call, or by
42	42	15other interactive electronic communication process as determined by the governing body. In the
43	43	16event the governing body determines to hold any such unit owner meeting by telephonic, video
44	44	17or other electronic communication process, the governing body shall notify all unit owners of
45	45	18that decision in the notice of such meeting, and provide access information to allow all unit
46	46	19owners to participate in such meeting by such telephonic, video or other interactive electronic
47	47	20communication process. Participation by a unit owner via telephonic, video or other interactive
48	48	21electronic communication process shall constitute presence at the meeting for purposes of any
49	49	22quorum requirements. Any unit owner meetings held by telephonic, video or other interactive
50	50	23electronic communication process shall provide reasonable measures to ensure that unit owners
51	51	24are afforded an opportunity to participate in the meeting, including the ability to read or hear the
52	52	25proceedings of the meeting and pose questions and comments.
53	53	26 (c) The governing body of the organization of unit owners may permit the unit owners to
54	54	27vote on any matters properly before such unit owners by mail-in ballot or by electronic means
55	55	28(including by website, voting software and/or e-mail voting) provided that unit owners
56	56	29constituting a quorum participate in such vote. The governing body may, from time to time,
57	57	30pursuant to its rule-making authority set forth in the governing documents of the organization of
58	58	31unit owners, promulgate and amend policies related to the use and implementation of electronic
59	59	32meetings and voting. In the event the master deed, declaration of trust, or bylaws of the
60	60	33condominium, or any provisions of MGL c. 183A require the signature or written consent of the 3 of 3
61	61	34unit owners for a certain matter, unit owners shall be entitled to submit their signatures or written
62	62	35consents using electronic means as determined by the governing body.