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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1183 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 974
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Kelly A. Dooner
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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 establishing liability coverage for facilities lodging individuals in the emergency shelter
program.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Kelly A. DoonerThird Bristol and Plymouth 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1183 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 974
By Ms. Dooner, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 974) of Kelly A. Dooner for
legislation to establish liability coverage for facilities lodging individuals in the emergency
shelter program. Housing.
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 establishing liability coverage for facilities lodging individuals in the emergency shelter
program.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Chapter 23B of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after Section 30 the
2following new section:-
3 Section 30A: Lodging Liability Insurance for Damages in Emergency Housing
4Assistance; Requirements
5 (a) Any hotel, motel, or lodging facility contracted by the Commonwealth to provide
6emergency housing assistance shall:
7 (1) Maintain an active general liability insurance policy and property damage insurance
8that covers damages caused by occupants placed through the emergency housing assistance
9program; (2) Provide annual proof of insurance coverage to the executive office prior to the
10signing of any contract and upon contract renewal; (3) Assume full financial responsibility for
11any property damage, destruction, or loss caused by occupants housed under state-funded 2 of 2
12emergency housing programs. The Commonwealth shall not be financial responsibility for any
13such damages, including but not limited to repair costs, replacement costs, insurance deductibles,
14or lost revenue due to unusable rooms; (4) Submit timely damage reports to the facility’s
15insurance provider and pursue reimbursement exclusively through insurance policies.
16 (b) Facilities that are lodging individuals under Section 30 of Chapter 23B that fail to
17maintain proper insurance or attempt to recover damage costs from the Commonwealth shall
18experience: (1) Termination of contracts; (2) Financial penalties as determined by the executive
19office (3) Disqualification from future state housing contracts
20 (c) The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities shall promulgate rules
21and regulations necessary to implement this section.