The bill amends several sections of Chapter 45-24 of the General Laws, which governs zoning ordinances, by introducing new definitions and provisions aimed at modernizing land use and development practices. A key addition is the definition of "co-living housing," which describes a specific residential development with units that provide independently rented and lockable living and sleeping spaces for exclusive use of an occupant, while requiring shared sanitary and/or food preparation facilities with other units. The bill stipulates that existing dwelling units cannot be converted into co-living housing unless authorized by a local zoning ordinance.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for authorizing community living options such as co-living housing in areas serviced by transit and other services. It establishes co-living housing as a permitted use in zoning ordinances, particularly in adaptive reuse developments that meet applicable building and fire code requirements. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.