Bill Sponsors
Cruz, Potter, Stewart, Kislak, Tanzi, Furtado, Sanchez, and Morales
Committee
House Judiciary
Summary
Select
This bill requires landlords to immediately give their tenants a receipt whenever the tenant pays their rent using cash.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Protects low-income and unbanked tenants, who are more likely to pay rent in cash, from being falsely accused of non-payment.
- Promotes accountability and transparency for landlords, helping to reduce the systemic power imbalance between property owners and vulnerable renters.
- Helps prevent unjust evictions by ensuring tenants have physical proof of their rent payments to present in housing court if disputes arise.
Cons for Progressives
- Fails to establish specific penalties or enforcement mechanisms for landlords who refuse or forget to provide the required receipt.
- Does not extend receipt requirements to other payment methods often used by unbanked individuals, such as money orders.
- Leaves the burden of enforcement largely on the tenant, which can be intimidating for marginalized renters fearing retaliation for demanding a receipt.
Pros for Conservatives
- Encourages better financial record-keeping and responsible, transparent business practices within the private rental market.
- Reduces the burden on the court system by preventing prolonged disputes over rent payments, potentially saving taxpayer money on civil litigation.
- Protects honest landlords from false claims by tenants who might lie about having paid rent in cash, establishing a clear standard of proof.
Cons for Conservatives
- Imposes a new government mandate on private property owners, interfering with their freedom to manage their business transactions independently.
- Creates an additional administrative burden and potential legal liability for landlords who choose to accept cash payments.
- May inadvertently discourage landlords from accepting cash payments altogether, limiting free market payment options for consumers.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Landlords
- Tenants
- Property managers
- Unbanked individuals
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
None
Revenue Generated
None
BillBuddy Impact Ratings
Importance
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Freedom Impact
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Public Services
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Regulatory
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Clarity of Bill Language
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Enforcement Provisions
Measures enforcement provisions and penalties for non-compliance (if applicable).
Environmental Impact
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Privacy Impact
Impact the bill is likely to have on the privacy of individuals.
Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 04/01/2026 Introduced, referred to House Judiciary
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Chapter 34-18 of the General Laws entitled "Residential Landlord and Tenant Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
34-18-63. Receipt for cash payment of rent.
A landlord shall provide a receipt to any tenant that makes a rental payment in cash at the time the payment is received.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
34-18-63. Receipt for cash payment of rent.
A landlord shall provide a receipt to any tenant that makes a rental payment in cash at the time the payment is received.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.