Section 103 Eviction Diversion Initiative Task Force
For the purposes of this section, "COVID-19 emergency" shall mean the state of emergency concerning the novel coronavirus disease outbreak declared by the governor on March 10, 2020.
From the passage of this act until 45 days after the termination of the COVID-19 emergency, there shall be a task force on the COVID-19 eviction diversion initiative. The task force shall track the initiative's outcomes and make recommendations on how to improve its effectiveness, efficiency and reach.
The task force shall make recommendations relative to all aspects of the COVID-19 eviction diversion initiative including, but not limited to, the administration and accessibility of: (i) Mass211 Inc. services; (ii) intakes and referrals by housing consumer education centers; (iii) short-term emergency rental assistance programs including, but not limited to, the rental assistance for families in transition program and the emergency rental and mortgage assistance program; (iv) the upstream tenancy preservation program; (v) community mediation; (vi) legal representation and related services; (vii) the HomeBASE household assistance program; (viii) the strategic prevention initiative; and (ix) the eviction process in the trial court of the commonwealth. The task force may also propose new initiatives to supplement existing programs intended to prevent evictions or homelessness during the COVID-19 emergency.
The task force shall consist of the following persons or their designees: the chairs of the joint committee on housing, who shall serve as co-chairs; the secretary of housing and economic development; the chief justice of the trial court; the chief justice of the housing court department; and 8 persons appointed by the governor, 4 of whom shall represent organizations dedicated to preserving residential tenancies or housing low or moderate income households and 4 of whom shall represent landlords or real estate organizations. The task force shall consult with other individuals with relevant expertise, including academics, researchers and housing stability service providers, as needed.
The task force shall meet as frequently as the co-chairs deem necessary, but not less than once a month. Not later than January 31, 2021, and as frequently as the co-chairs deem necessary thereafter, the task force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to carry its recommendations into effect, by filing the same with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives and the house and senate committees on ways and means; provided, however, that the task force may submit interim reports and recommendations at any time.