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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2590 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1933
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Edward R. Philips
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act further protecting tenants.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Edward R. Philips8th Norfolk1/16/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2590 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1933
By Representative Philips of Sharon, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1933) of
Edward R. Philips relative to rent withholdings. The Judiciary.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4979 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act further protecting tenants.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Section 8A of Chapter 239 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting before
2the first paragraph the following:-
3 Section 8A(a). As used in this section and in Chapter 239, the following words shall,
4unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:
5 "Tenant,” a person who holds possession of a premises in exchange for consideration
6given to an owner;
7 "Subtenant," a person who holds possession of a premises in exchange for consideration
8given to a Tenant or other Subtenant;
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10 "Consideration," money or services whether pursuant to a written or verbal agreement or
11domestic relationship.