FrankGoortani/open-us-law huggingface dataset:
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, sec. 28 — MA Code / Part I / Title XII / Chapter 71 / Section 28
Summer schools
Status: in_force

Section 28. The school committee may establish and maintain schools to be kept open for the whole or any part of the summer vacation; but attendance thereon shall not be compulsory or be considered as a part of the school attendance required by law.

Section 28. The school committee may establish and maintain schools to be kept open for the whole or any part of the summer vacation; but attendance thereon shall not be compulsory or be considered as a part of the school attendance required by law.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 160, sec. 186 — MA Code / Part I / Title XXII / Chapter 160 / Section 186
Determination by railroad; revision
Status: in_force

Section 186. A railroad corporation may establish for its sole benefit fares, tolls and charges upon all passengers and property conveyed or transported on its railroad, at such rates as may be determined by its directors, and may from time to time by its directors regulate the use of its railroad; but such fares, tolls and charges, and such regulations, shall be subject to revision and alteration by the general court, or by such officers or persons as it may appoint for the purpose, anything in the charter of the railroad corporation to the contrary notwithstanding.

Section 186. A railroad corporation may establish for its sole benefit fares, tolls and charges upon all passengers and property conveyed or transported on its railroad, at such rates as may be determined by its directors, and may from time to time by its directors regulate the use of its railroad; but such fares, tolls and charges, and such regulations, shall be subject to revision and alteration by the general court, or by such officers or persons as it may appoint for the purpose, anything in the charter of the railroad corporation to the contrary notwithstanding.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 118E, sec. 2A — MA Code / Part I / Title XVII / Chapter 118E / Section 2A
Director of dental services
Status: in_force

Section 2A. (a) In order to improve, promote and protect oral health, there shall be, in the office of Medicaid, a full-time director of dental services who shall work collaboratively with the department of public health to facilitate the integration of programs to improve oral health. (b) The director of dental services shall be a dentist licensed in the commonwealth who has public health experience and shall oversee the MassHealth dental program and collaborate with the dental director at the department of public health and the office of oral health on dental public health programs for MassHealth recipients to increase access to oral health services, oral health prevention activities and other initiatives to address oral health disparities including, but not limited to, workforce shortages.

Section 2A. (a) In order to improve, promote and protect oral health, there shall be, in the office of Medicaid, a full-time director of dental services who shall work collaboratively with the department of public health to facilitate the integration of programs to improve oral health.

(b) The director of dental services shall be a dentist licensed in the commonwealth who has public health experience and shall oversee the MassHealth dental program and collaborate with the dental director at the department of public health and the office of oral health on dental public health programs for MassHealth recipients to increase access to oral health services, oral health prevention activities and other initiatives to address oral health disparities including, but not limited to, workforce shortages.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 161A, sec. 10 — MA Code / Part I / Title XXII / Chapter 161A / Section 10
Financial assistance from the federal government
Status: in_force

Section 10. The authority is authorized and directed from time to time to take all necessary action to secure any federal assistance which is or may become available to the commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions, for any of the purposes of this chapter. If any federal law, administrative regulations or practice requires any action relating to such federal assistance to be taken by any department or instrumentality of the commonwealth other than the authority, such other department or instrumentality is authorized and directed to take all such action, including without limitation filing applications for assistance, supervising the expenditure of federal grants or loans to the foregoing, and the authority is hereby authorized and directed to take all actions which are not inconsistent with state law and which are necessary to permit such other department or instrumentality to comply with federal requirements. If the provisions of any federal law, administrative regulation, or practice governing federal assistance for the purposes of this chapter are inconsistent with any provisions of this chapter to the extent that the commonwealth or its political subdivisions are prohibited or potentially prohibited from receiving such assistance, the chairman of the authority shall, within 30 days after the federal government has notified him that an inconsistency may exist, notify the governor, and the clerks of the house and senate of such inconsistency.

Section 10. The authority is authorized and directed from time to time to take all necessary action to secure any federal assistance which is or may become available to the commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions, for any of the purposes of this chapter. If any federal law, administrative regulations or practice requires any action relating to such federal assistance to be taken by any department or instrumentality of the commonwealth other than the authority, such other department or instrumentality is authorized and directed to take all such action, including without limitation filing applications for assistance, supervising the expenditure of federal grants or loans to the foregoing, and the authority is hereby authorized and directed to take all actions which are not inconsistent with state law and which are necessary to permit such other department or instrumentality to comply with federal requirements. If the provisions of any federal law, administrative regulation, or practice governing federal assistance for the purposes of this chapter are inconsistent with any provisions of this chapter to the extent that the commonwealth or its political subdivisions are prohibited or potentially prohibited from receiving such assistance, the chairman of the authority shall, within 30 days after the federal government has notified him that an inconsistency may exist, notify the governor, and the clerks of the house and senate of such inconsistency.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 127, sec. 86H — MA Code / Part I / Title XVIII / Chapter 127 / Section 86H
Public speaking engagements; inmates of state correctional facilities
Status: in_force

Section 86H. The commissioner of correction may permit an inmate to leave a state correctional facility to address a public gathering, provided that the commissioner receives a request in writing from the sponsor of the public gathering desiring such an address, the inmate selected to present the address is recommended by the committee established under the provisions of section forty-nine A, the inmate leaves the correctional facility in the custody of an officer or employee of the department and remains in such custody until returned to the facility by said officer or employee, and the sponsor of the public gathering bears the cost of transportation for the inmate and the officer. An inmate shall, at all times during his absence from a correctional facility under this section, be considered as in the custody of the officer having charge of the correctional facility, and the time away from the facility shall be considered as part of the term of the sentence.

Section 86H. The commissioner of correction may permit an inmate to leave a state correctional facility to address a public gathering, provided that the commissioner receives a request in writing from the sponsor of the public gathering desiring such an address, the inmate selected to present the address is recommended by the committee established under the provisions of section forty-nine A, the inmate leaves the correctional facility in the custody of an officer or employee of the department and remains in such custody until returned to the facility by said officer or employee, and the sponsor of the public gathering bears the cost of transportation for the inmate and the officer.

An inmate shall, at all times during his absence from a correctional facility under this section, be considered as in the custody of the officer having charge of the correctional facility, and the time away from the facility shall be considered as part of the term of the sentence.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 231, sec. 91B — MA Code / Part III / Title II / Chapter 231 / Section 91B
Statement relating to bank loan for purchase of goods or services as defense to claim for libel
Status: in_force

Section 91B. It shall be a defense to any claim for libel or slander brought by a vendor against a purchaser of goods or services that the statement on which the claim is based relates to a loan from a bank used to purchase such goods or services and was made by the purchaser in good faith to an agent or employee of such bank.

Section 91B. It shall be a defense to any claim for libel or slander brought by a vendor against a purchaser of goods or services that the statement on which the claim is based relates to a loan from a bank used to purchase such goods or services and was made by the purchaser in good faith to an agent or employee of such bank.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 160, sec. 247 — MA Code / Part I / Title XXII / Chapter 160 / Section 247
Formation; powers
Status: in_force

Section 247. Fifteen or more persons, a majority of whom are inhabitants of this commonwealth, may associate themselves by a written agreement of association, with the intention of forming a corporation to construct and operate a railroad, or railroad and telegraph, in any foreign country, but in accordance with the laws of such country; and, upon complying with section two hundred and forty-nine, shall, with their associates and successors, be a corporation for the purpose aforesaid, with the powers necessary and incident thereto, and with such powers and privileges, and subject to such duties, liabilities and restrictions, as to the location, construction, maintenance and operation of its railroad, or railroad and telegraph, and the transfer of its property by mortgage, lease or otherwise, as may be fixed by such country.

Section 247. Fifteen or more persons, a majority of whom are inhabitants of this commonwealth, may associate themselves by a written agreement of association, with the intention of forming a corporation to construct and operate a railroad, or railroad and telegraph, in any foreign country, but in accordance with the laws of such country; and, upon complying with section two hundred and forty-nine, shall, with their associates and successors, be a corporation for the purpose aforesaid, with the powers necessary and incident thereto, and with such powers and privileges, and subject to such duties, liabilities and restrictions, as to the location, construction, maintenance and operation of its railroad, or railroad and telegraph, and the transfer of its property by mortgage, lease or otherwise, as may be fixed by such country.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 6, sec. 138 — MA Code / Part I / Title II / Chapter 6 / Section 138
Solicitations for benefit of blind; license; appeal from refusal to issue
Status: in_force

Section 138. The commissioner, upon written application stating the purpose and manner of raising funds, the time during which it is proposed to solicit, and the time and place of any proposed entertainment or game, may issue licenses to raise funds for the benefit of the blind. He may order a hearing on any such application, and may require such public notice thereof to be given as he deems expedient. If the commissioner has reasonable grounds for believing that a violation of law is intended, or that the granting of the license will not be for the public interest, he may refuse to issue the same. Every such license shall contain the name of the applicant, the purpose for which it is granted, and the period, which shall not exceed one year, for which it is issued. Any person aggrieved by the refusal of the commissioner to issue such a license may appeal to the advisory board of the commission, whose decision shall be final.

Section 138. The commissioner, upon written application stating the purpose and manner of raising funds, the time during which it is proposed to solicit, and the time and place of any proposed entertainment or game, may issue licenses to raise funds for the benefit of the blind. He may order a hearing on any such application, and may require such public notice thereof to be given as he deems expedient. If the commissioner has reasonable grounds for believing that a violation of law is intended, or that the granting of the license will not be for the public interest, he may refuse to issue the same. Every such license shall contain the name of the applicant, the purpose for which it is granted, and the period, which shall not exceed one year, for which it is issued. Any person aggrieved by the refusal of the commissioner to issue such a license may appeal to the advisory board of the commission, whose decision shall be final.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 21N, sec. 6 — MA Code / Part I / Title II / Chapter 21N / Section 6
Establishment of emissions reduction programs; promulgation of regulations; protection of low and moderate-income persons and environmental justice populations
Status: in_force

Section 6. The secretary shall establish programs to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and promulgate regulations regarding sources or categories of sources that emit greenhouse gases in order to achieve the greenhouse gas emissions limits and sublimits and implement the roadmap plans required by this chapter. Said regulations shall achieve required emissions reductions equitably and in a manner that protects low- and moderate-income persons and environmental justice populations.

Section 6. The secretary shall establish programs to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and promulgate regulations regarding sources or categories of sources that emit greenhouse gases in order to achieve the greenhouse gas emissions limits and sublimits and implement the roadmap plans required by this chapter. Said regulations shall achieve required emissions reductions equitably and in a manner that protects low- and moderate-income persons and environmental justice populations.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 161C, sec. 5 — MA Code / Part I / Title XXII / Chapter 161C / Section 5
Contracts for financial assistance; limitations
Status: in_force

Section 5. The executive office or the department of highways acting pursuant to paragraph (f) of section six of this chapter may enter into contracts or agreements to provide financial assistance, from such funds as may be provided for the purpose, for all or part of the costs of maintaining rail rights-of-way or related facilities or equipment, or operating rail services in the commonwealth. Any such contracts or agreements shall be subject to the following limitations: (i) in determining whether such assistance is necessary or appropriate under this chapter with respect to an operating agreement with a private transportation company, and in determining the terms and conditions under which such assistance shall be given, the secretary shall review the transportation operations of such company and its affiliates and shall make a finding that such assistance will not permit the applicant company to make more than a reasonable return overall; and (ii) any such assistance shall cover only those services which the secretary determines to be in the public interest.

Section 5. The executive office or the department of highways acting pursuant to paragraph (f) of section six of this chapter may enter into contracts or agreements to provide financial assistance, from such funds as may be provided for the purpose, for all or part of the costs of maintaining rail rights-of-way or related facilities or equipment, or operating rail services in the commonwealth.

Any such contracts or agreements shall be subject to the following limitations: (i) in determining whether such assistance is necessary or appropriate under this chapter with respect to an operating agreement with a private transportation company, and in determining the terms and conditions under which such assistance shall be given, the secretary shall review the transportation operations of such company and its affiliates and shall make a finding that such assistance will not permit the applicant company to make more than a reasonable return overall; and (ii) any such assistance shall cover only those services which the secretary determines to be in the public interest.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 265, sec. 55 — MA Code / Part IV / Title I / Chapter 265 / Section 55
Forfeiture of funds used to facilitate violation of Sec. 50 or 51; victim restitution
Status: in_force

Section 55. All monies furnished or intended to be furnished by any person in exchange for forced labor or services or sexual servitude, and all monies used or intended to be used to facilitate any violation of section 50 or 51 shall be subject to forfeiture to the commonwealth and shall be made available by the court to any victim ordered restitution by the court pursuant to section 3 of chapter 258B.

Section 55. All monies furnished or intended to be furnished by any person in exchange for forced labor or services or sexual servitude, and all monies used or intended to be used to facilitate any violation of section 50 or 51 shall be subject to forfeiture to the commonwealth and shall be made available by the court to any victim ordered restitution by the court pursuant to section 3 of chapter 258B.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 23G, sec. 16A — MA Code / Part I / Title II / Chapter 23G / Section 16A
Designations; walking track; tennis courts
Status: in_force

Section 16A. The department of environmental management shall designate the walking track located at the Quinsigamond state park in the city of Worcester as the, ''State Representative Andrew Collaro walking track''; provided, however, that the tennis courts located in said state park shall be designated as the ''Senator Daniel J. Foley tennis courts''.

Section 16A. The department of environmental management shall designate the walking track located at the Quinsigamond state park in the city of Worcester as the, ''State Representative Andrew Collaro walking track''; provided, however, that the tennis courts located in said state park shall be designated as the ''Senator Daniel J. Foley tennis courts''.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 58A, sec. 8 — MA Code / Part I / Title IX / Chapter 58A / Section 8
Hearings
Status: in_force

Section 8. A hearing shall be granted if any party to an appeal so requests, and upon motion of any party to an appeal, or by direction of the board, any appeal may be set down for a hearing. Hearings may be held before less than a majority of the members of the board and the chairman may assign members to hold hearings. Hearings before the board, or any member thereof, shall be open to the public and such hearings and all proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with such rules of practice and procedure as the board may make and promulgate; provided, however, that such rules and amendments thereto shall comply with the filing provisions of section 5 of chapter 30A and such rules and amendments shall not take effect until so filed. The chairman may direct that two or more petitions for abatement of the taxes assessed upon real estate situated in the same general locality of the same town be heard together, irrespective of the identity of the appellants.

Section 8. A hearing shall be granted if any party to an appeal so requests, and upon motion of any party to an appeal, or by direction of the board, any appeal may be set down for a hearing. Hearings may be held before less than a majority of the members of the board and the chairman may assign members to hold hearings. Hearings before the board, or any member thereof, shall be open to the public and such hearings and all proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with such rules of practice and procedure as the board may make and promulgate; provided, however, that such rules and amendments thereto shall comply with the filing provisions of section 5 of chapter 30A and such rules and amendments shall not take effect until so filed. The chairman may direct that two or more petitions for abatement of the taxes assessed upon real estate situated in the same general locality of the same town be heard together, irrespective of the identity of the appellants.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 10, sec. 32 — MA Code / Part I / Title II / Chapter 10 / Section 32
Unclaimed prize money
Status: in_force

Section 32. Unclaimed prize money for the prize on a winning ticket or share shall be retained by the director for the person entitled thereto for one year after the drawing in which the prize was won. If no claim is made for said money within such year, the prize money shall be allocated in the same manner as lottery revenues are allocated.

Section 32. Unclaimed prize money for the prize on a winning ticket or share shall be retained by the director for the person entitled thereto for one year after the drawing in which the prize was won. If no claim is made for said money within such year, the prize money shall be allocated in the same manner as lottery revenues are allocated.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176H, sec. 15 — MA Code / Part I / Title XXII / Chapter 176H / Section 15
Injunction
Status: in_force

Section 15. Upon application to the superior court by the commissioner, injunctive relief may be granted if any sponsor of an insured legal services plan or a membership legal services plan has failed to comply with the provisions of this chapter; is operating fraudulently; is operating so as to render further operations contrary to the public interest; has exceeded its powers; has violated any provision of law; is financially unable to pay its claims in full; or is insolvent. The court may forthwith issue a temporary injunction restraining the transaction of any business, and it may, after a full hearing make the injunction permanent, and appoint one or more receivers to take possession of the books, papers, monies and other assets of the sponsor to settle its affairs, and distribute its funds to those entitled thereto, subject to such rules and orders as the court may prescribe, or may make such other order as it may deem appropriate.

Section 15. Upon application to the superior court by the commissioner, injunctive relief may be granted if any sponsor of an insured legal services plan or a membership legal services plan has failed to comply with the provisions of this chapter; is operating fraudulently; is operating so as to render further operations contrary to the public interest; has exceeded its powers; has violated any provision of law; is financially unable to pay its claims in full; or is insolvent. The court may forthwith issue a temporary injunction restraining the transaction of any business, and it may, after a full hearing make the injunction permanent, and appoint one or more receivers to take possession of the books, papers, monies and other assets of the sponsor to settle its affairs, and distribute its funds to those entitled thereto, subject to such rules and orders as the court may prescribe, or may make such other order as it may deem appropriate.