Promotes fair and affordable housing by allowing civil actions against discriminatory land use practices.

The bill amends Massachusetts law to allow civil actions against local or state administrative, legislative, or regulatory bodies for discriminatory land use practices. It defines such practices as enacting or enforcing land use regulations, making permitting or funding decisions, or taking actions that limit or exclude housing accommodations for families or individuals based on income, family size, or protected characteristics. Successful plaintiffs can recover litigation costs, including expert witness fees, reasonable attorneys' fees, and interest.

Promotes fair and affordable housing by allowing civil actions against discriminatory land use practices.

The bill amends Massachusetts law to allow civil actions against local or state administrative, legislative, or regulatory bodies for discriminatory land use practices. It defines such practices as enacting or enforcing land use regulations, making permitting or funding decisions, or taking actions that limit or exclude housing accommodations for families or individuals based on income, family size, or protected characteristics. Successful plaintiffs can recover litigation costs, including expert witness fees, reasonable attorneys' fees, and interest.