New law for Massachusetts agents and brokers

Boston Condos for Sale and Apartments for Rent

New law for Massachusetts agents and brokers

As of March 2026, Massachusetts Senate Bill S.2947, also known as “An Act regarding fair housing practices in the Commonwealth,” has unanimously passed the State Senate and is currently awaiting review by the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Key Mandates of the Bill

If enacted into law, the legislation would introduce several new requirements and penalties aimed at reducing housing discrimination:

Mandatory Education for New Agents: Applicants for a real estate license must complete four hours of classroom instruction specifically on fair housing law.
Continuing Education for Current Agents: Licensed brokers and salespersons must complete two hours of fair housing instruction as part of their standard license renewal process.
Increased Penalties for Violations: The bill increases the maximum license suspension for a second fair housing violation from 90 days to 180 days.
Direct Referral Process: It allows the Attorney General and certified fair housing agencies to directly refer findings of discrimination to the Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons for mandatory license suspension.
Public Accountability: The registration board would be required to annually publish a list of licensees whose licenses were revoked for fair housing violations, alongside a summary of complaints and disciplinary actions.

The bill was introduced by Senator Adam Gómez (D-Springfield) and stems from research showing that 71% of Black participants in a 2020 study experienced discrimination when searching for housing in Massachusetts.

Would you like to check the current hearing schedule for this bill in the Massachusetts House?

Peace be with you