FrankGoortani/open-us-law huggingface dataset:
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 21N, sec. 9 — MA Code / Part I / Title II / Chapter 21N / Section 9
Applicability of chapter
Status: in_force

Section 9. Nothing in this chapter shall affect the authority of the public utility commission or the obligation of an electric utility to provide customers with safe and reliable electric service. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude, prohibit or restrict the construction of a new facility or the expansion of an existing facility subject to regulation under this chapter, if all applicable requirements are met and the facility is in compliance with regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.

Section 9. Nothing in this chapter shall affect the authority of the public utility commission or the obligation of an electric utility to provide customers with safe and reliable electric service. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude, prohibit or restrict the construction of a new facility or the expansion of an existing facility subject to regulation under this chapter, if all applicable requirements are met and the facility is in compliance with regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 171, sec. 36 — MA Code / Part I / Title XXII / Chapter 171 / Section 36
Designation of beneficiary; deferred compensation or retirement plans
Status: in_force

Section 36. Any designation of any beneficiary in connection with and as provided by an instrument intended to establish a pension, profit-sharing or other deferred compensation or retirement plan, trust or custodial account described in one or more of the following sections of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States, and in effect from time to time, shall be effective according to its terms, notwithstanding any purported testamentary disposition allowed by statute, by operation of law or otherwise to the contrary; section four hundred and one (a), section four hundred and one (f), section four hundred and three (b)(7), section four hundred and five (a), section four hundred and eight (a), and section four hundred and eight (h). Nothing in this section is intended to limit, by implication or otherwise, any nonstatutory right of an employee to designate one or more beneficiaries in the employees' interest under any retirement plan not described in this section or under any other employee benefit plan.

Section 36. Any designation of any beneficiary in connection with and as provided by an instrument intended to establish a pension, profit-sharing or other deferred compensation or retirement plan, trust or custodial account described in one or more of the following sections of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States, and in effect from time to time, shall be effective according to its terms, notwithstanding any purported testamentary disposition allowed by statute, by operation of law or otherwise to the contrary; section four hundred and one (a), section four hundred and one (f), section four hundred and three (b)(7), section four hundred and five (a), section four hundred and eight (a), and section four hundred and eight (h). Nothing in this section is intended to limit, by implication or otherwise, any nonstatutory right of an employee to designate one or more beneficiaries in the employees' interest under any retirement plan not described in this section or under any other employee benefit plan.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, sec. 71 — MA Code / Part I / Title XII / Chapter 71 / Section 71
Use of school property; purposes
Status: in_force

Section 71. For the purpose of promoting the usefulness of public school property the school committee of any town may conduct such educational and recreational activities in or upon school property under its control, and, subject to such regulations as it may establish, and, consistently and without interference with the use of the premises for school purposes, shall allow the use thereof by individuals and associations for such educational, recreational, social, civic, philanthropic and like purposes as it deems for the interest of the community. The affiliation of any such association with a religious organization shall not disqualify such association from being allowed such a use for such a purpose. The use of such property as a place of assemblage for citizens to hear candidates for public office shall be considered a civic purpose within the meaning of this section. A school committee shall award concessions for food at any field under its control only to the highest responsible bidder. This section shall not apply to Boston.

Section 71. For the purpose of promoting the usefulness of public school property the school committee of any town may conduct such educational and recreational activities in or upon school property under its control, and, subject to such regulations as it may establish, and, consistently and without interference with the use of the premises for school purposes, shall allow the use thereof by individuals and associations for such educational, recreational, social, civic, philanthropic and like purposes as it deems for the interest of the community. The affiliation of any such association with a religious organization shall not disqualify such association from being allowed such a use for such a purpose. The use of such property as a place of assemblage for citizens to hear candidates for public office shall be considered a civic purpose within the meaning of this section. A school committee shall award concessions for food at any field under its control only to the highest responsible bidder. This section shall not apply to Boston.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 202, sec. 38 — MA Code / Part II / Title II / Chapter 202 / Section 38
Decree; presumptions; highest possible price
Status: in_force

Section 38. After the entry of a decree authorizing or licensing an executor, administrator, guardian, conservator or trustee to sell real estate at a public or private sale, provided: (a) the notice of the petition for license to sell real estate and of the time and place appointed for hearing, the same shall have been given by publication at such times and in such newspapers as the court orders, and (b) there shall have been no appearance entered against such sale prior to the entry of the decree or where such appearance shall have been entered and withdrawn prior to the entry of the decree, notwithstanding the fact that an appeal may have been taken prior to the expiration of the period allowed for an appeal therefrom, it shall be conclusively presumed that the amount of the advantageous offer stated in said petition for license to sell real estate is the highest possible price obtainable for the real estate described in such petition and that the executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, or trustee has fully satisfied his fiduciary duty to obtain the highest possible price for such real estate.

Section 38. After the entry of a decree authorizing or licensing an executor, administrator, guardian, conservator or trustee to sell real estate at a public or private sale, provided: (a) the notice of the petition for license to sell real estate and of the time and place appointed for hearing, the same shall have been given by publication at such times and in such newspapers as the court orders, and (b) there shall have been no appearance entered against such sale prior to the entry of the decree or where such appearance shall have been entered and withdrawn prior to the entry of the decree, notwithstanding the fact that an appeal may have been taken prior to the expiration of the period allowed for an appeal therefrom, it shall be conclusively presumed that the amount of the advantageous offer stated in said petition for license to sell real estate is the highest possible price obtainable for the real estate described in such petition and that the executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, or trustee has fully satisfied his fiduciary duty to obtain the highest possible price for such real estate.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 85, sec. 21A — MA Code / Part I / Title XIV / Chapter 85 / Section 21A
Warning signs on state highways for protection of school children
Status: in_force

Section 21A. Subject to the provisions of section two, cities and towns are hereby authorized to erect and maintain on state and town and city highways such warning signs, lights or markings as are necessary for the protection of school children; provided, however, that, subject to compliance with the department's specifications and standards, figures or objects may be placed or erected on such ways by cities and towns at school crossings for the protection of school children without the approval of the department.

Section 21A. Subject to the provisions of section two, cities and towns are hereby authorized to erect and maintain on state and town and city highways such warning signs, lights or markings as are necessary for the protection of school children; provided, however, that, subject to compliance with the department's specifications and standards, figures or objects may be placed or erected on such ways by cities and towns at school crossings for the protection of school children without the approval of the department.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 272, sec. 78A — MA Code / Part IV / Title I / Chapter 272 / Section 78A
Sale of foals under five months; penalty
Status: in_force

Section 78A. No person shall sell, offer for sale or otherwise dispose of any foal under five months of age other than for the purpose of immediate slaughter or humane killing unless such foal is accompanied by its dam. Violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than six months.

Section 78A. No person shall sell, offer for sale or otherwise dispose of any foal under five months of age other than for the purpose of immediate slaughter or humane killing unless such foal is accompanied by its dam. Violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than six months.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 221, sec. 64 — MA Code / Part III / Title I / Chapter 221 / Section 64
Preparation of reports; time of publication
Status: in_force

Section 64. He shall attend the law sittings of the court unless excused therefrom by the chief justice, make true reports of decisions upon all questions of law argued by counsel, prepare them for publication with suitable head notes, tables of cases and indexes, furnish them to the publisher, and superintend the correction, proof reading and publication thereof. He shall in his discretion report the several cases more or less at large according to their relative importance, so as not unnecessarily to increase the size or number of the volumes of reports. The reports of all decisions argued and determined before September first in each year shall be published within ninety days thereafter.

Section 64. He shall attend the law sittings of the court unless excused therefrom by the chief justice, make true reports of decisions upon all questions of law argued by counsel, prepare them for publication with suitable head notes, tables of cases and indexes, furnish them to the publisher, and superintend the correction, proof reading and publication thereof. He shall in his discretion report the several cases more or less at large according to their relative importance, so as not unnecessarily to increase the size or number of the volumes of reports. The reports of all decisions argued and determined before September first in each year shall be published within ninety days thereafter.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 32A, sec. 27 — MA Code / Part I / Title IV / Chapter 32A / Section 27
Toll-free telephone number and website providing customers with estimated or maximum allowed amount or charge for proposed admission, procedure or service
Status: in_force

Section 27. The commission shall require any carriers or third party administrators with whom it contracts to provide a toll-free telephone number and website that enables consumers to request and obtain from the carrier or third party administrator, in real time, the estimated or maximum allowed amount or charge for a proposed admission, procedure or service and the estimated amount the insured will be responsible to pay for a proposed admission, procedure or service that is a medically necessary covered benefit, based on the information available to the carrier or third party administrator at the time the request is made, including any facility fee, copayment, deductible, coinsurance or other out of pocket amount for any covered health care benefits; provided, that the insured shall not be required to pay more than the disclosed amounts for the covered health care benefits that were actually provided; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall prevent carriers from imposing cost sharing requirements disclosed in the insured's evidence of coverage for unforeseen services that arise out of the proposed admission, procedure or service; and provided further, that the carrier shall alert the insured that these are estimated costs, and that the actual amount the insured will be responsible to pay may vary due to unforeseen services that arise out of the proposed admission, procedure or service.

Section 27. The commission shall require any carriers or third party administrators with whom it contracts to provide a toll-free telephone number and website that enables consumers to request and obtain from the carrier or third party administrator, in real time, the estimated or maximum allowed amount or charge for a proposed admission, procedure or service and the estimated amount the insured will be responsible to pay for a proposed admission, procedure or service that is a medically necessary covered benefit, based on the information available to the carrier or third party administrator at the time the request is made, including any facility fee, copayment, deductible, coinsurance or other out of pocket amount for any covered health care benefits; provided, that the insured shall not be required to pay more than the disclosed amounts for the covered health care benefits that were actually provided; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall prevent carriers from imposing cost sharing requirements disclosed in the insured's evidence of coverage for unforeseen services that arise out of the proposed admission, procedure or service; and provided further, that the carrier shall alert the insured that these are estimated costs, and that the actual amount the insured will be responsible to pay may vary due to unforeseen services that arise out of the proposed admission, procedure or service.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 78, sec. 19F — MA Code / Part I / Title XII / Chapter 78 / Section 19F
Regional public library service; arrangement for delivery and retrieval of materials or services
Status: in_force

Section 19F. Any library system providing service under an approved plan as provided in clause (3) of section nineteen C or such public library or libraries designated by the board may through the board enter into an arrangement or arrangements with libraries not included by clauses (1) and (2) of said section nineteen C as the board may determine; under the terms of which such library system or such public library or libraries designated by the board may provide, and the amount arranged to be applied only to the related costs, for the delivery and retrieval of reference and research books, periodicals and other library materials, or other services within the approved plan.

Section 19F. Any library system providing service under an approved plan as provided in clause (3) of section nineteen C or such public library or libraries designated by the board may through the board enter into an arrangement or arrangements with libraries not included by clauses (1) and (2) of said section nineteen C as the board may determine; under the terms of which such library system or such public library or libraries designated by the board may provide, and the amount arranged to be applied only to the related costs, for the delivery and retrieval of reference and research books, periodicals and other library materials, or other services within the approved plan.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 130, sec. 50 — MA Code / Part I / Title XIX / Chapter 130 / Section 50
Forfeiture or liberation of seized lobsters or lobster meat
Status: in_force

Section 50. When any lobster or lobster meat is seized for the violation of any provision of section forty-seven, the officer making the seizure shall immediately notify the shipper thereof, if known, and shall proceed to enforce the forfeiture of such lobsters as he is not required to liberate, or of such lobster meat, in accordance with section twelve.

Section 50. When any lobster or lobster meat is seized for the violation of any provision of section forty-seven, the officer making the seizure shall immediately notify the shipper thereof, if known, and shall proceed to enforce the forfeiture of such lobsters as he is not required to liberate, or of such lobster meat, in accordance with section twelve.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 266, sec. 137 — MA Code / Part IV / Title I / Chapter 266 / Section 137
Injury to mill by raising water
Status: in_force

Section 137. Whoever, by erecting or maintaining a dam, either within or without the commonwealth, knowingly causes the water of a river or stream so to be raised as to flow upon or injure a mill lawfully existing in the commonwealth and belonging to a citizen thereof, without right as against the owner of such mill, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than six months; but this section shall not apply to cases in which the courts of the commonwealth have jurisdiction to abate a dam so raised or maintained.

Section 137. Whoever, by erecting or maintaining a dam, either within or without the commonwealth, knowingly causes the water of a river or stream so to be raised as to flow upon or injure a mill lawfully existing in the commonwealth and belonging to a citizen thereof, without right as against the owner of such mill, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than six months; but this section shall not apply to cases in which the courts of the commonwealth have jurisdiction to abate a dam so raised or maintained.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 263A, sec. 5 — MA Code / Part IV / Title I / Chapter 263A / Section 5
Protective services provided to critical witnesses; notice to defense counsel
Status: in_force

Section 5. Protective services provided to a critical witness may include, but not be limited to:— (a) any necessary armed protection or escort, marked or unmarked surveillance or periodic visits or contact by law enforcement officials prior, during or subsequent to a criminal proceeding; (b) physical relocation to an alternate shelter, housing or residence; (c) reasonable housing expenses; (d) transportation or storage of personal possessions; (e) basic living expenses; and (f) petition for a protective order on any individual identified as a threat to a critical witness. Any protective services provided to a critical witness shall be made known to defense counsel pursuant to Rule 14 of the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure.

Section 5. Protective services provided to a critical witness may include, but not be limited to:—

(a) any necessary armed protection or escort, marked or unmarked surveillance or periodic visits or contact by law enforcement officials prior, during or subsequent to a criminal proceeding;

(b) physical relocation to an alternate shelter, housing or residence;

(c) reasonable housing expenses;

(d) transportation or storage of personal possessions;

(e) basic living expenses; and

(f) petition for a protective order on any individual identified as a threat to a critical witness.

Any protective services provided to a critical witness shall be made known to defense counsel pursuant to Rule 14 of the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 138, sec. 65 — MA Code / Part I / Title XX / Chapter 138 / Section 65
Delivery of license upon suspension, revocation, cancellation or forfeiture
Status: in_force

Section 65. Upon suspension, revocation, cancellation or forfeiture by the licensing authorities of a license or permit granted under this chapter, the holder thereof shall forthwith deliver the same to such authorities. Refusal so to deliver, or failure so to do for seven days following a request therefor by such authorities, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than three months, or both.

Section 65. Upon suspension, revocation, cancellation or forfeiture by the licensing authorities of a license or permit granted under this chapter, the holder thereof shall forthwith deliver the same to such authorities. Refusal so to deliver, or failure so to do for seven days following a request therefor by such authorities, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than three months, or both.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 110F, sec. 1 — MA Code / Part I / Title XV / Chapter 110F / Section 1
Business combinations with interested stockholders; restrictions
Status: in_force

Section 1. A corporation shall not engage in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless: (a) prior to such date the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; or (b) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least ninety percent of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding, those shares owned by (1) persons who are directors and also officers and (2) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or (c) on or subsequent to such date the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Section 1. A corporation shall not engage in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

(a) prior to such date the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; or

(b) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least ninety percent of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding, those shares owned by (1) persons who are directors and also officers and (2) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

(c) on or subsequent to such date the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.