The bill amends sections 45-53-3 and 45-53-4 of the General Laws concerning "Low and Moderate Income Housing." It introduces new language that specifies that, in calculating a municipality's progress towards meeting applicable low- and moderate-income housing thresholds, affordable housing units shall be counted upon the issuance of a building permit for that unit.

The bill also outlines required findings for denial of comprehensive permit applications, stating that a local review board may deny an application only if it makes written findings, supported by legally competent evidence, that one or more specific conditions exist. These conditions include: inconsistency with an approved affordable housing plan, inconsistency with local needs identified in the comprehensive plan or local zoning ordinances, non-conformance with the comprehensive plan, significant progress towards meeting the applicable low- and moderate-income housing threshold, or significant negative impacts on health or safety that cannot be adequately mitigated.

The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.