Source: https://ribit.rofreg.com/legislations/6104
Timestamp: 2019-10-17 23:37:40
Document Index: 451441556

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 2701', '§ 2510', '§ 2510', '§ 33', '§ 33', '§ 34', '§ 34', '§ 34', '§ 33', '§ 33', '§ 33', '§ 2701']

House Bill #5778 (2019)
AN ACT RELATING TO PROBATE PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - REVISED UNIFORM FIDUCIARY ACCESS TO DIGITAL ASSETS ACT
2019-02-28: Introduced, referred to House Finance
2019-02-28: Introduced, referred to House Judiciary
2019 – H 5778
2019 – H 5778 SUBSTITUTE A
LC001465
LC001465/SUB A
RELATING TO PROBATE PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - REVISED UNIFORM
Introduced By: Representative Stephen R. Ucci
Date Introduced: February 28, 2019
SECTION 1. Chapter 33-27 of the General Laws entitled "Access to Decedents' Electronic Mail Accounts Act"is hereby repealed in its entirety.
CHAPTER 33-27
Access to Decedents' Electronic MailAccounts Act
33-27-1. Short title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Access to Decedents' Electronic Mail Accounts Act".
33-27-2. Definitions.
(1) "Electronic mail service provider" means any person who:
(i) Is an intermediary in sending or receiving electronic mail; and
(i) All electronic mail sent or received by an end-user of electronic mailservices provided by an electronic mail service provider that is stored or recorded by such electronic mail service provider in the regular course of providing such services; and
(ii) Any other electronic information stored or recorded by such electronic mail service provider that is directly related to the electronic mail services provided to such end-user by such electronic mail service provider, including, but not limited to, billing and payment information.
33-27-3. Access to decedents' electronic mail.
An electronic mail service provider shall provide, to the executor or administrator of the estate of a deceased person who was domiciled in this state at the time of his or her death, access to or copies of the contents of the electronic mail account of such deceased person upon receipt by the electronic mail service provider of:
(1) A written request for such access or copies made by such executor or administrator, accompanied by a copy of the death certificate and a certified copy of the certificate of appointment as executor and administrator; and
(2) An order of the court of probate that by law has jurisdiction of the estate of such deceased person, designating such executor or administrator as an agent for the subscriber, as defined in the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. § 2701, on behalf of his/her estate, and ordering that the estate shall first indemnify the electronic mail service provider from all liability in complying with such order.
33-27-4. Violation of federal law.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require an electronic mailservice provider to disclose any information in violation of any applicable federallaw.
33-27-5. Severability.
If any provision of this chapter or the application of it to any person or circumstances is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the chapter, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable.
SECTION 2. Title 33 of the General Laws entitled "PROBATE PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE"is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
33-27.1-1. Short title.
This chapter shallbe known and may be cited as "The Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act".
33-27.1-2. Definitions.
(1) "Account" means an arrangement under a terms-of-service agreement in which a custodian carries, maintains, processes, receives, or stores a digital asset of the user or provides
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(4) "Catalogue of electronic communications" means information that identifies each person with which a user has had an electronic communication, the time and date of the communication and the electronic address of the person.
(5) "Conservator" means a person appointed by a court to administer the property of a living individual pursuant to chapter 15 of title 33. The term includes a limited conservator.
(i) Has been sent or received by a user;
(ii) Is in electronic storage by a custodian providing an electronic communication service to the public or is earned or maintained by a custodian providing a remote computing service to the public; and
(ii) Is in electronic storage by a custodian providing an electronic communication service to the public or is carried or maintained by a custodian providing a remote computing service to the public; and
(iii) Is not readily accessible to the public.
(7) "Court" means a court of competent jurisdiction, including the probate court and the superior court.
(11) "Electronic" means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities.
(12) "Electronic communication" has the meaning set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 2510 et seq., as amended.
(13) "Electronic communication service" means a custodian that provides to a user the ability to send or receive an electronic communication.
(14) "Fiduciary" means an original, additional, or successor personal representative, guardian, conservator, agent, or trustee.
(15) "Guardian" means a person appointed by the court to make decisions regarding the
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(18) "Person" means an individual, estate, partnership, association, trust, business or nonprofit entity, public corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or other legal entity.
(19) "Personal representative" means an executor, administrator, special administrator or person that performs substantially the same function under law of this state other than this chapter.
(22) "Protected person" means an individual for whom a guardian or conservator has been appointed pursuant to chapter 15 title 33.
(24) "Remote computing service" means a custodian that provides to a user computer- processing services or the storage of digital assets by means of an electronic communications system, as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 2510 et seq., as amended.
(25) "Terms-of-service agreement" means an agreement that controls the relationship between a user and a custodian.
(26) "Trustee" means a fiduciary with legal title to property under an agreement or declaration that creates a beneficialinterest in another. The term includes a successor trustee.
(27) "User"means a person that has an account with a custodian.
(28) "Will" includes a codicil, testamentary instrument that only appoints an executor and instrument that revokes or revises a testamentary instrument.
(28) "Will" includes a codicil, a testamentary instrument that only appoints an executor, and an instrument that revokes or revises a testamentary instrument.
33-27.1-3. Applicability.
(1) A fiduciary acting under a will or power of attorney executed before, on or after the
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(2) A personal representative acting for a decedent who died before, on, or after the effective date of this chapter.
(3) A guardian or conservator appointed before, on, or after the effective date of this chapter; and
33-27.1-4. User direction for disclosure of digital assets.
(a) A user may use an online tool to direct the custodian to disclose to a designated recipient or not disclose some or all of the user's digital assets, including the content of electronic communications, if the online tool allows the user to modify or delete a direction at all times, a direction regarding disclosure using an online tool overrides a contrary direction by the user in a will, trust, power of attorney, or other record.
(a) A user may use an online tool to direct the custodian to disclose to a designated recipient or not disclose some or all of the user's digital assets, including the content of electronic communications. If the online tool allows the user to modify or delete a direction at all times, a direction regarding disclosure using an online tool overrides a contrary direction by the user in a will, trust, power of attorney, or other record.
(b) If a user has not used an online tool to give direction under subsection (a) of this section or if the custodian has not provided an online tool, the user may allow or prohibit in a will, trust, power of attorney, or other record, disclosure to a fiduciary of some or allof the user's digital assets, including the content of electronic communications sent or received by the user.
(c) A user's direction under subsection (a) or (b) of this section overrides a contrary provision in a terms-of-service agreement that does not require the user to act affirmatively and distinctly from the user's assent to the terms of service.
33-27.1-5. Terms of service agreement.
(a) This chapter does not change or impair a right of a custodian or a user under a terms­of-service agreement to access and use digitalassets of the user.
(c) A fiduciary's or designated recipient's access to digital assets may be modified or eliminated by a user, by federal law, or by a terms-of-service agreement if the user has not provided direction under § 33-27.1-4.
33-27.1-6. Procedure for disclosing digital assets.
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(a) When disclosing digital assets of a user pursuant to one or more of §§ 33-27.1-7 through 33-27.1-15, the custodian may at its sole discretion:
(l) Grant a fiduciary or designated recipient full access to the user's account;
(2) Grant a fiduciary or designated recipient partialaccess to the user's account sufficient to perform the tasks with which the fiduciary or designated recipient is charged; or
(3) Provide a fiduciary or designated recipient a copy of a record of any digitalasset that on the date the custodian received the request for disclosure, the user could have accessed if the user were alive and had fullcapacity and access to the account.
(3) Provide a fiduciary or designated recipient a copy in a record of any digitalasset that on the date the custodian received the request for disclosure, the user could have accessed if the user were alive and had fullcapacity and access to the account.
(1) A subset limited by date of the user's digitalassets;
(3) None of the user's digitalassets; or
33-27.1-7. Disclosure of content of electronic communications of deceased user.
(4) Unless the user provided direction using an online tool, a copy of the user's will, trust, power of attorney, or other record evidencing the user's consent to disclosure of the content of electronic communications;
(5) A number, username, address, or other unique subscriber or account identifier assigned by the custodian to identify the user's account;
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(6) Evidence linking the account to the user;
(7) A finding by the court that disclosure of the content of electronic communications of the user is reasonably necessary for the administration of the estate; and
(8) If requested by the custodian, a finding by the court that:
(i) The user had a specific account with the custodian, identifiable by the information specified in subsection (5) of this section:
(ii) Disclosure of the content of electronic communications of the user would not violate 18 U.S.C. X2701 et seq., as amended, 47 U.S.C. fi222 et seq., as amended, or other applicable law; or
(ii) Disclosure of the content of electronic communications of the user would not violate 18 U.S.C. Section 2701, et seq., as amended, 47 U.S.C. Section 222, et seq., as amended, or other applicable law; or
(iii) Unless the user provided direction using an online tool, the user consented to disclosure of the content of electronic communications.
33-27.1-8. Disclosure of other digital assets of deceased user.
Unless the user prohibited disclosure of digital assets or the court directs otherwise, a custodian shalldisclose to the personalrepresentative of the estate of a deceased user a catalogue of electronic communications sent or received by the user and digital assets, other than the content of electronic communications of the user, if the representative gives the custodian:
(4) A number, username address, or other unique subscriber or account identifier assigned by the custodian to identify the user's account;
(4) A number, username, address, or other unique subscriber or account identifier assigned by the custodian to identify the user's account;
(5) Evidence linking the account to the user;
(6) A finding by the court that disclosure of the user's digital assets is reasonably necessary for administration of the estate; and
(7) If requested by the custodian, a finding by the court that the user had a specific account with the custodian, identifiable by the information specified in subsection (4) of this section.
33-27.1-9. Disclosure of content of electronic communications of principal.
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(3) A certification by the agent, under penalty of perjury, that the power of attorney is in effect;
(4) A number, username, address, or other unique subscriber or account identifier assigned by the custodian to identify the principal's account; and
(5) Evidence linking the account to the principal.
33-27.1-10. Disclosure of other digital assets of principal.
(2) An original or a copy of the power of attorney that gives the agent specific authority over digital assets or generalauthority to act on behalf of the principal;
(4) A number username, address or other unique subscriber or account identifier assigned by the custodian to identify the principal's account; and
(4) A number, username, address or other unique subscriber or account identifier assigned by the custodian to identify the principal's account; and
33-27.1-11. Disclosure of digital assets held in trust when trustee is original user.
Unless otherwise ordered by the court or provided in a trust, a custodian shalldisclose to a trustee that is an original user of an account any digital asset of the account held in trust, including a catalogue of electronic communications of the trustee and the content of electronic communications.
33-27.1-12.Disclosure of content of electronic communications held in trust when trustee is not original user.
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(3) An affidavit or memorandum by the trustee, under penalty of perjury, pursuant to § 34-4-27, that the trust exists and the trustee is a currently acting trustee of the trust; assigned by the custodian to identify the trust's account; and
(4) Evidence linking the account to the trust.
(3) An affidavit or memorandum by the trustee, under penalty of perjury, pursuant to § 34-4-27, that the trust exists and the trustee is a currently acting trustee of the trust; assigned by the custodian to identify the trust's account;
(4) A number, username, address, or other unique subscriber or account identifier assigned by the custodian to identify the trust's account; and
(5) Evidence linking the account to the trust.
33-27.1-13.Disclosure ofotherdigitalassets heldintrust whentrustee is not original user.
Unless otherwise ordered by the court, directed by the user, or provided in a trust, a custodian shall disclose, to a trustee that is not an original user of an account, a catalogue of electronic communications sent or received by an originalor successor user and stored, carried or maintained by the custodian in an account of the trust and any digital assets, other than the content of electronic communications, in which the trust has a right or interest if the trustee gives the custodian:
(3) An affidavit or memorandum by the trustee, under penalty of perjury, pursuant to § 34-4-27, that the trust exists and the trustee is a currently acting trustee of the trust;
33-27.1-14. Disclosure of digital assets to guardian or conservator of protected person.
(a) After an opportunity for a hearing under chapter 15 of title 33, the court may grant a guardian or conservator access to the digitalassets of a protected person.
(b) Unless otherwise ordered by the court or directed by the user, a custodian shall disclose to a guardian or conservator the catalogue of electronic communications sent or received by a protected person and any digital assets, other than the content of electronic communications, in which the protected person has a right or interest if the guardian or conservator gives the custodian:
(2) A certified copy of the court order that gives the guardian or conservator authority over the digital assets of the protected person; and
(3) A number, username, address, or other unique subscriber or account identifier
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(2) A certified copy of the court order that gives the guardian or conservator authority
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(3) A number, username, address, or other unique subscriber or account identifier assigned by the custodian to identify the account of the protected person;
(4) Evidence linking the account to the protected person; and
(5) A finding by the court that disclosure of the digital assets of the user is reasonably necessary for the performance of the duties of the guardian or conservator.
(c) A guardian or conservator with general authority to manage the assets of a protected person may request a custodian of the digital assets of the protected person to suspend or terminate an account of the protected person for good cause. A request made under this section must be accompanied by a certified copy of the court order giving the guardian or conservator authority over the protected person's property.
33-27.1-15. Fiduciary duty and authority.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in § 33-27.1-4. is subject to the applicable terms of service;
(3) In the case of a fiduciary, is limited by the score of the fiduciary's duties; and
(c) A fiduciary with authority over the property of a decedent, protected person, principal, or settlor has the right to access any digital asset in which the decedent, protected person, principal, or settlor had a right or interest and that is not held by a custodian or subject to a terms- of-service agreement.
(d) A fiduciary acting within the scope of the fiduciary's duties is an authorized user of the property of the decedent, protected person, principal, or settlor for the purpose of applicable computer fraud and unauthorized computer access laws, including chapter 52 of title 11.
(e) A fiduciary with authority over the tangible, personalproperty of a decedent protected person, principal, or senior.
(e) A fiduciary with authority over the tangible, personalproperty of a decedent protected person, principal, or settlor.
(1) Has the right to access the property and any digitalasset stored in it; and
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(2) Is an authorized user for the purpose of computer fraud and unauthorized computer access laws, including chapter 52 of title 11.
(f) A custodian may disclose information in an account to a fiduciary of the user when the information is required to terminate an account used to access digitalassets licensed to the user.
(2) A certified copy of the letter of appointment of the representative or a small estate affidavit, court order, power of attorney, or trust giving the fiduciary authority over the account;
(3) A number, username, address, or other unique subscriber or account identifier assigned by the custodian to identify the user's account;
(4) Evidence linking the account to the user; and
(5) If the user is a decedent or protected person:
(i) A finding by the court that termination of the account is reasonably necessary for the administration of the estate of a decedent or the performance of the duties of the conservator or guardian; and
(ii) If requested by the custodian, a finding by the court that the user had a specific account with the custodian, identifiable by the information specified in subsection (g)(3) of this section.
(h) This chapter does not affect any right or remedy of a protected person, a principal, a beneficiary or an estate against a guardian or conservator, an agent, a trustee, or a personal representative, respectively, for any violation of this chapter by such fiduciary.
33-27.1-16. Custodian compliance and immunity.
(a) Not later than sixty (60) days after receipt of the information required under §§ 33- 27.1-7 through 33-27.1-15, a custodian shall comply with a request under this chapter from a fiduciary or designated recipient to disclose digital assets or terminate an account if the custodian fails to comply, the fiduciary or designated recipient may apply to the court for an order directing compliance.
(b) An order under subsection (a) of this section directing compliance must contain a finding that compliance is not in violation of 18 U.S.C. 42702 et seq., as amended.
(a) Not later than sixty (60) days after receipt of the information required under §§ 33- 27.1-7 through 33-27.1-15, a custodian shall comply with a request under this chapter from a fiduciary or designated recipient to disclose digitalassets or terminate an account. If the custodian fails to comply, the fiduciary or designated recipient may apply to the court for an order directing compliance.
(b) An order under subsection (a) of this section directing compliance must contain a finding that compliance is not in violation of 18 U.S.C. Section 2702, et seq., as amended.
(c) Wherever practicable, a custodian shall notify the user or the user's account that a request for disclosure or to terminate an account was made under this chapter.
(d) A custodian may deny a request under this chapter from a fiduciary or designated recipient for disclosure of digitalassets or to terminate an account if the custodian is aware of any lawful access to the account following the receipt of the fiduciary's request.
(d) A custodian may deny a request under this chapter from a fiduciary or designated
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(f) A custodian and its officers, employees and agents are immune from liability for an act or omission done in good faith in compliance with this chapter, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. § 2701 et seq., and allapplicable state and federallaws.
33-27.1-17. Uniformity of application and construction.
33-27.1-18. Relation to electronic signatures in global and national commerce act.
This chapter modifies, limits, or supersedes the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act. 15 U.S.C. 47001 et seq., but does not modify, limit, or supersede 15 U.S.C. 4700l(c), or authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices described in 15 U.S.C. 47003(b).
This chapter modifies, limits, or supersedes the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act. 15 U.S.C. Section 7001, et seq., but does not modify, limit, or supersede 15 U.S.C. Section 700l(c), or authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices described in 15 U.S.C. Section 7003(b).
33-27.1-19. Severability.
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This act would regulate fiduciary and designated recipient access to digitalassets relating to probate practice and procedure by creating the "Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act"to promote uniformity of the law among states that enact it.
This act would take effect upon passage. ======== LC001465 ========
This act would take effect upon passage. ======== LC001465/SUB A ========
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