WORCESTER, Mass. - Several Massachusetts state lawmakers have filed a bill to bring back rent control in the state at the local level.

State Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Middlesex & Worcester) said the bill would allow cities and towns to put limits on how much rent would increase year to year. He said right now, there's a steep rise in housing costs, especially in the city of Worcester.

"You've seen housing prices explode, you've seen growing support for this bill," Eldridge said. "And it does work in other states and other cities, and I think it's important. There has been a lot of stories about Worcester and housing movements happening in Worcester, and again, this is just working to make sure there is a limitation on increases year to year."

This law would not apply to new construction and would create an agreement between landlords and renters. If passed, city councils, mayors and town boards would pick what the limit would be in their respective municipalities.

Rent control in Massachusetts was repealed in a 1994 public referendum.