The bill amends sections 45-53-3 and 45-53-4 of the General Laws concerning "Low and Moderate Income Housing," introducing key definitions such as "low- and moderate-income" housing and "approved affordable housing plan," which is defined as part of an unexpired local comprehensive plan. The bill emphasizes the need for local and state housing needs in zoning ordinances and clarifies that low- or moderate-income housing is synonymous with affordable housing. It outlines criteria for counting housing units towards municipal requirements and establishes that municipalities may provide density bonuses and other incentives for low- or moderate-income housing developments.

The bill streamlines the approval process for low- or moderate-income housing construction by allowing an applicant to elect for master plan review prior to preliminary plan submission. It specifies submission requirements for master plan applications and mandates that local review boards render decisions within sixty days of certification of completeness. If the local review board fails to act within the prescribed timeframe, the application is deemed approved. The bill also requires that all written decisions on applications be recorded within twenty-five days and allows municipalities to impose fees on applications, provided they do not exceed those for similar projects outside this chapter.

Significant deletions include the removal of limitations on the annual total number of dwelling units in comprehensive permit applications from for-profit developers, which previously restricted such applications to one percent of total year-round housing units in towns with approved affordable housing plans. The act is set to take effect upon passage, with certain provisions becoming effective on January 1, 2026.