FrankGoortani/open-us-law huggingface dataset:
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 166, sec. 21 — MA Code / Part I / Title XXII / Chapter 166 / Section 21
Location of construction of electric transmission lines
Status: in_force

Section 21. A company incorporated for the transmission of intelligence by electricity or by telephone, whether by electricity or otherwise, or for the transmission of television signals, whether by electricity or otherwise, or for the transmission of electricity for lighting, heating or power, or for the construction and operation of a street railway or an electric railroad, may, under this chapter, construct lines for such transmission upon, along, under and across the public ways and, subject to chapter ninety-one, across and under any waters in the commonwealth, by the erection or construction of the poles, piers, abutments, conduits and other fixtures, except bridges, which may be necessary to sustain or protect the wires of its lines; but such company shall not incommode the public use of public ways or endanger or interrupt navigation. This section shall apply to a company incorporated under the laws of another state for the transmission of intelligence by electricity or by telephone, or television, whether by electricity or otherwise, and which is engaged in interstate commerce within the commonwealth. This section shall apply to a municipal lighting plant or cooperative that operates a telecommunications system outside the limits of its service territory pursuant to section 47E of chapter 164, but only for construction that is outside its service territory.

Section 21. A company incorporated for the transmission of intelligence by electricity or by telephone, whether by electricity or otherwise, or for the transmission of television signals, whether by electricity or otherwise, or for the transmission of electricity for lighting, heating or power, or for the construction and operation of a street railway or an electric railroad, may, under this chapter, construct lines for such transmission upon, along, under and across the public ways and, subject to chapter ninety-one, across and under any waters in the commonwealth, by the erection or construction of the poles, piers, abutments, conduits and other fixtures, except bridges, which may be necessary to sustain or protect the wires of its lines; but such company shall not incommode the public use of public ways or endanger or interrupt navigation. This section shall apply to a company incorporated under the laws of another state for the transmission of intelligence by electricity or by telephone, or television, whether by electricity or otherwise, and which is engaged in interstate commerce within the commonwealth. This section shall apply to a municipal lighting plant or cooperative that operates a telecommunications system outside the limits of its service territory pursuant to section 47E of chapter 164, but only for construction that is outside its service territory.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 160, sec. 205 — MA Code / Part I / Title XXII / Chapter 160 / Section 205
Equal facilities; passengers and property
Status: in_force

Section 205. Every railroad corporation shall, subject to the provisions of section two hundred and eleven, give to all persons reasonable and equal terms, facilities and accommodations for the transportation upon its railroad of themselves, their agents and servants, and of their merchandise and other property and for the use of its depot and other buildings and grounds; and, at any point where its railroad connects with another railroad, it shall give reasonable and equal terms and facilities of interchange.

Section 205. Every railroad corporation shall, subject to the provisions of section two hundred and eleven, give to all persons reasonable and equal terms, facilities and accommodations for the transportation upon its railroad of themselves, their agents and servants, and of their merchandise and other property and for the use of its depot and other buildings and grounds; and, at any point where its railroad connects with another railroad, it shall give reasonable and equal terms and facilities of interchange.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, sec. 38F — MA Code / Part I / Title XII / Chapter 71 / Section 38F
Fees for services of directors of occupational guidance; prohibition; penalty for violation
Status: in_force

Section 38F. A director of occupational guidance and placement who accepts any commission, fee, compensation or reward of any kind for obtaining a position for any person shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars, and upon conviction his office shall immediately become vacant.

Section 38F. A director of occupational guidance and placement who accepts any commission, fee, compensation or reward of any kind for obtaining a position for any person shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars, and upon conviction his office shall immediately become vacant.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 235, sec. 41 — MA Code / Part III / Title II / Chapter 235 / Section 41
Failure of highest bidder to purchase; re-sale
Status: in_force

Section 41. If the highest bidder for an article at such sale refuses to take and pay for it, the officer shall sell it again by auction, at the same time or within ten days thereafter, giving notice of the second sale; and he shall account for what he receives on the second sale, and for any damages recovered of the first bidder for a loss on the re-sale, as for so much received on the execution.

Section 41. If the highest bidder for an article at such sale refuses to take and pay for it, the officer shall sell it again by auction, at the same time or within ten days thereafter, giving notice of the second sale; and he shall account for what he receives on the second sale, and for any damages recovered of the first bidder for a loss on the re-sale, as for so much received on the execution.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 231, sec. 85P — MA Code / Part III / Title II / Chapter 231 / Section 85P
Age of majority; legal capacity
Status: in_force

Section 85P. Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, any person domiciled in the commonwealth who has reached the age of eighteen shall for all purposes, and any other person who has reached the age of eighteen shall with respect to any transaction governed by the law of the commonwealth, be deemed of full legal capacity unless legally incapacitated for some reason other than insufficient age.

Section 85P. Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, any person domiciled in the commonwealth who has reached the age of eighteen shall for all purposes, and any other person who has reached the age of eighteen shall with respect to any transaction governed by the law of the commonwealth, be deemed of full legal capacity unless legally incapacitated for some reason other than insufficient age.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 19, sec. 20 — MA Code / Part I / Title II / Chapter 19 / Section 20
Mental health facility employees; civil service exemption
Status: in_force

Section 20. Stationary engineers, steam firemen, school teachers and head farmers employed in mental health facilities of the department and, except as otherwise provided by the civil service law and rules, the classified labor service of the department, shall be exempt from chapter thirty-one; provided, however, that whenever, as a condition of receiving federal grants for programs and activities to which the federal standards for a merit system of personnel administration relate, federal requirements make necessary the application of the civil service law and rules to any such position, or to the classified labor service or any portion thereof, said positions or service shall be subject to chapter thirty-one; provided, further, such federal requirements are uniform in all states.

Section 20. Stationary engineers, steam firemen, school teachers and head farmers employed in mental health facilities of the department and, except as otherwise provided by the civil service law and rules, the classified labor service of the department, shall be exempt from chapter thirty-one; provided, however, that whenever, as a condition of receiving federal grants for programs and activities to which the federal standards for a merit system of personnel administration relate, federal requirements make necessary the application of the civil service law and rules to any such position, or to the classified labor service or any portion thereof, said positions or service shall be subject to chapter thirty-one; provided, further, such federal requirements are uniform in all states.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 175K, sec. 14 — MA Code / Part I / Title XXII / Chapter 175K / Section 14
Severability
Status: in_force

Section 14. (1) The provisions of this compact shall be severable; and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provision is considered unenforceable, the remaining provisions of the compact shall be enforceable. (2) The provisions of this compact shall be liberally construed to effectuate its purposes.

Section 14. (1) The provisions of this compact shall be severable; and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provision is considered unenforceable, the remaining provisions of the compact shall be enforceable.

(2) The provisions of this compact shall be liberally construed to effectuate its purposes.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 12, sec. 5L — MA Code / Part I / Title II / Chapter 12 / Section 5L
Preponderance of the evidence standard
Status: in_force

Section 5L. In any action brought pursuant to sections 5B to 5O, inclusive, the party bringing the action shall be required to prove all essential elements of the cause of action, including damages, by a preponderance of the evidence.

Section 5L. In any action brought pursuant to sections 5B to 5O, inclusive, the party bringing the action shall be required to prove all essential elements of the cause of action, including damages, by a preponderance of the evidence.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 93B, sec. 3 — MA Code / Part I / Title XV / Chapter 93B / Section 3
Unfair competition and practices
Status: in_force

Section 3. (a) Unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices, as defined in section 4, are hereby declared to be unlawful. (b) In construing subsection (a) the courts may be guided by the interpretations of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. 45. (c) The attorney general may make rules and regulations interpreting the subsection (a). The rules and regulations shall not be inconsistent with the rules, regulations and decisions of the Federal Trade Commission and the federal courts interpreting the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. 45.

Section 3. (a) Unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices, as defined in section 4, are hereby declared to be unlawful.

(b) In construing subsection (a) the courts may be guided by the interpretations of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. 45.

(c) The attorney general may make rules and regulations interpreting the subsection (a). The rules and regulations shall not be inconsistent with the rules, regulations and decisions of the Federal Trade Commission and the federal courts interpreting the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. 45.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 156B, sec. 75 — MA Code / Part I / Title XXII / Chapter 156B / Section 75
Mortgage or disposal of assets; vote; notice of meeting
Status: in_force

Section 75. (a) Every corporation may, subject to the provisions of section eight, authorize, at a meeting duly called for the purpose, by vote of two-thirds of the shares of each class of stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon, the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of its property and assets, including its goodwill, upon such terms and conditions as it deems expedient, except that the articles of organization of any corporation may provide that a vote of less than two-thirds but not less than a majority of the outstanding shares of each class of stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon, shall be necessary for such authorization. Notice of the time, place and purposes of such meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record, whether or not entitled to vote thereat, in the manner provided in section thirty-six but at least twenty days prior to the date of such meeting. (b) The authorization or consent of stockholders to the mortgage or pledge of, or granting of security interest in, property or assets of a corporation shall not be necessary except to the extent that the corporation's articles of organization otherwise provide.

Section 75. (a) Every corporation may, subject to the provisions of section eight, authorize, at a meeting duly called for the purpose, by vote of two-thirds of the shares of each class of stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon, the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of its property and assets, including its goodwill, upon such terms and conditions as it deems expedient, except that the articles of organization of any corporation may provide that a vote of less than two-thirds but not less than a majority of the outstanding shares of each class of stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon, shall be necessary for such authorization. Notice of the time, place and purposes of such meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record, whether or not entitled to vote thereat, in the manner provided in section thirty-six but at least twenty days prior to the date of such meeting.

(b) The authorization or consent of stockholders to the mortgage or pledge of, or granting of security interest in, property or assets of a corporation shall not be necessary except to the extent that the corporation's articles of organization otherwise provide.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 10, sec. 30B — MA Code / Part I / Title II / Chapter 10 / Section 30B
Suspension of license to sell lottery tickets due to suspension or revocation of cigar or tobacco license
Status: in_force

Section 30B. Upon receiving notice from the commissioner of revenue that a retailer, as defined in section 1 of chapter 64C, a cigar retailer, as defined in section 7B of said chapter 64C, or an electronic nicotine delivery system retailer, as defined in section 7E of said chapter 64C, has had a cigar, electronic nicotine delivery system or tobacco license suspended or revoked for a knowing violation of paragraph (1) of subsection (l) of said section 7B, paragraph (1) of subsection (l) of said section 7E, section 34 or section 35 of said chapter 64C, the director of the state lottery shall suspend any license to sell lottery tickets or shares issued to the retailer, cigar retailer or electronic nicotine delivery system retailer pursuant to sections 26 and 27 for not more than 60 days.

Section 30B. Upon receiving notice from the commissioner of revenue that a retailer, as defined in section 1 of chapter 64C, a cigar retailer, as defined in section 7B of said chapter 64C, or an electronic nicotine delivery system retailer, as defined in section 7E of said chapter 64C, has had a cigar, electronic nicotine delivery system or tobacco license suspended or revoked for a knowing violation of paragraph (1) of subsection (l) of said section 7B, paragraph (1) of subsection (l) of said section 7E, section 34 or section 35 of said chapter 64C, the director of the state lottery shall suspend any license to sell lottery tickets or shares issued to the retailer, cigar retailer or electronic nicotine delivery system retailer pursuant to sections 26 and 27 for not more than 60 days.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 6, sec. 15FFFFFFF — MA Code / Part I / Title II / Chapter 6 / Section 15FFFFFFF
Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day
Status: in_force

[ Text of added by 2025, 66, effective November 19, 2025.] Section 15FFFFFFF. The governor shall annually issue a proclamation setting apart September 22 as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day, in recognition and in honor of fallen service members and veterans and their families, to acknowledge that suicide among service members and veterans is an epidemic, to foster awareness of suicide among service members and veterans and to call for suicide prevention measures for service members and veterans and thereby to support the service members and veterans who dedicate their lives to protect and to serve our country and shall recommend that the day be observed in an appropriate manner by the people.

[ Text of added by 2025, 66, effective November 19, 2025.]

Section 15FFFFFFF. The governor shall annually issue a proclamation setting apart September 22 as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day, in recognition and in honor of fallen service members and veterans and their families, to acknowledge that suicide among service members and veterans is an epidemic, to foster awareness of suicide among service members and veterans and to call for suicide prevention measures for service members and veterans and thereby to support the service members and veterans who dedicate their lives to protect and to serve our country and shall recommend that the day be observed in an appropriate manner by the people.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 9A, sec. 3 — MA Code / Part I / Title II / Chapter 9A / Section 3
Cancellation of certification
Status: in_force

Section 3. Certification for the program may be canceled if one or more of the following conditions applies: (1) If the program participant obtains a name change, the participant loses certification as a program participant. A participant who has obtained a legal name change may apply to the secretary for recertification in the program if documentation of the legal name change is provided. (2) If there is a change in the residential street address from the one listed on the application, unless the program participant provides the secretary with notice of the change in such manner as the secretary shall provide by regulation. (3) Pursuant to paragraph (5) of section 2, the secretary shall cancel certification of a program participant who knowingly provides false information.

Section 3. Certification for the program may be canceled if one or more of the following conditions applies:

(1) If the program participant obtains a name change, the participant loses certification as a program participant. A participant who has obtained a legal name change may apply to the secretary for recertification in the program if documentation of the legal name change is provided.

(2) If there is a change in the residential street address from the one listed on the application, unless the program participant provides the secretary with notice of the change in such manner as the secretary shall provide by regulation.

(3) Pursuant to paragraph (5) of section 2, the secretary shall cancel certification of a program participant who knowingly provides false information.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 180, sec. 6D — MA Code / Part I / Title XXII / Chapter 180 / Section 6D
Filing certificate of change regarding powers of directors, etc.
Status: in_force

Section 6D. Following any change in the board with the power of directors, and presiding financial and recording officers with the powers of president, treasurer, and clerk, the corporation may file in the office of the state secretary a certificate of such change signed under penalties of perjury by the recording officer.

Section 6D. Following any change in the board with the power of directors, and presiding financial and recording officers with the powers of president, treasurer, and clerk, the corporation may file in the office of the state secretary a certificate of such change signed under penalties of perjury by the recording officer.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 64I, sec. 26 — MA Code / Part I / Title IX / Chapter 64I / Section 26
Motor vehicles; presumption of transfer for storage, use or consumption; prerequisite for registration; revocation of certificate for failure of payment by check
Status: in_force

Section 26. For the purposes of this chapter, every transfer of the registration of a motor vehicle or trailer, as defined in section one of chapter ninety, shall be presumed to be for storage, use or other consumption in the commonwealth. Upon the return of the certificate of registration, as required by section two of said chapter ninety, the registrar of motor vehicles shall forthwith inform the commissioner of the date of transfer and the names and addresses of the former and new owners. No certificate of registration shall be issued by the registrar of motor vehicles to the new owner until such new owner shall furnish evidence, on such forms as shall be prescribed by the commissioner and the registrar of motor vehicles, that any tax due under the provisions of this chapter has been paid in accordance with regulations of the commissioner. If payment of any such tax due is made by check and said check is not duly paid, the registrar of motor vehicles may, after hearing, revoke the certificate of registration.

Section 26. For the purposes of this chapter, every transfer of the registration of a motor vehicle or trailer, as defined in section one of chapter ninety, shall be presumed to be for storage, use or other consumption in the commonwealth. Upon the return of the certificate of registration, as required by section two of said chapter ninety, the registrar of motor vehicles shall forthwith inform the commissioner of the date of transfer and the names and addresses of the former and new owners.

No certificate of registration shall be issued by the registrar of motor vehicles to the new owner until such new owner shall furnish evidence, on such forms as shall be prescribed by the commissioner and the registrar of motor vehicles, that any tax due under the provisions of this chapter has been paid in accordance with regulations of the commissioner.

If payment of any such tax due is made by check and said check is not duly paid, the registrar of motor vehicles may, after hearing, revoke the certificate of registration.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 119, sec. 53 — MA Code / Part I / Title XVII / Chapter 119 / Section 53
Delinquent children; liberal construction; nature of proceedings
Status: in_force

Section 53. Sections fifty-two to sixty-three, inclusive, shall be liberally construed so that the care, custody and discipline of the children brought before the court shall approximate as nearly as possible that which they should receive from their parents, and that, as far as practicable, they shall be treated, not as criminals, but as children in need of aid, encouragement and guidance. Proceedings against children under said sections shall not be deemed criminal proceedings.

Section 53. Sections fifty-two to sixty-three, inclusive, shall be liberally construed so that the care, custody and discipline of the children brought before the court shall approximate as nearly as possible that which they should receive from their parents, and that, as far as practicable, they shall be treated, not as criminals, but as children in need of aid, encouragement and guidance. Proceedings against children under said sections shall not be deemed criminal proceedings.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 40N, sec. 2 — MA Code / Part I / Title VII / Chapter 40N / Section 2
Short title
Status: in_force

Section 2. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Model Water and Sewer Reorganization Act.

Section 2. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Model Water and Sewer Reorganization Act.