reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MA Gen L ch 66a § 1 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title X - Public Records|Chapter 66a - Fair Information Practices|Section 1 - Definitions

Section 1. As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:—  ''Agency'', any agency of the executive branch of the government, including but not limited to any constitutional or other office, executive office, department, division, bureau, board, commission or committee thereof; or any authority created by the general court to serve a public purpose, having either statewide or local jurisdiction.  ''Automated personal data system'', a personal data system in which personal data is stored, in whole or in part, in a computer or in electronically controlled or accessible files.  ''Computer accessible'', recorded on magnetic tape, magnetic film, magnetic disc, magnetic drum, punched card, or optically scannable paper or film.  ''Criminal justice agency'', an agency at any level of government which performs as its principal function activity relating to (a) the apprehension, prosecution, defense, adjudication, incarceration, or rehabilitation of criminal offenders; or (b) the collection, storage, dissemination, or usage of criminal offender record information.  ''Data subject'', an individual to whom personal data refers. This term shall not include corporations, corporate trusts, partnerships, limited partnerships, trusts or other similar entities.  ''Holder'', an agency which collects, uses, maintains or disseminates personal data or any person or entity which contracts or has an arrangement with an agency whereby it holds personal data as part or as a result of performing a governmental or public function or purpose. A holder which is not an agency is a holder, and subject to the provisions of this chapter, only with respect to personal data so held under contract or arrangement with an agency.  ''Manual personal data system'', a personal data system which is not an automated or other electronically accessible or controlled personal data system.  ''Personal data'', any information concerning an individual which, because of name, identifying number, mark or description can be readily associated with a particular individual; provided, however, that such information is not contained in a public record, as defined in clause Twenty-sixth of section seven of chapter four and shall not include intelligence information, evaluative information or criminal offender record information as defined in section one hundred and sixty-seven of chapter six.  ''Personal data system'', a system of records containing personal data, which system is organized such that the data are retrievable by use of the identity of the data subject.
MA Gen L ch 66a § 3 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title X - Public Records|Chapter 66a - Fair Information Practices|Section 3 - Rules and Regulations

Section 3. The secretary of each executive office shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the purposes of this chapter which shall be applicable to all agencies, departments, boards, commissions, authorities, and instrumentalities within each of said executive offices subject to the approval of the commissioner of administration. The department of housing and community development shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the purposes of this chapter which shall be applicable to local housing and redevelopment authorities of the cities and towns. Any agency not within any such executive office shall be subject to the regulations of the commissioner of administration. The attorney general, the state secretary, the state treasurer and the state auditor shall adopt applicable regulations for their respective departments.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 1 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 1 - Continuance of Existing Corporations

Section 1. Every religious society heretofore established or organized under any statute shall continue a body corporate with the powers given to such corporations by law, and with the powers, privileges, liabilities and duties set forth in this chapter; but this chapter shall not impair the existing rights of property of any territorial parish.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 2 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 2 - Existing Societies; Limitation or Modification of Rights, Privileges, Etc.

Section 2. Religious societies, incorporated or unincorporated, shall continue to have and enjoy their existing rights, privileges and immunities, except as limited or modified by this chapter.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 3 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 3 - Status of Church Privileges

Section 3. Churches connected and associated in public worship with such religious societies shall continue to have, exercise and enjoy all their accustomed privileges and liberties respecting divine worship, church order and discipline, and shall be encouraged in the peaceable and regular enjoyment and practice thereof.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 4 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 4 - By-Laws

Section 4. A religious society may make by-laws consistent with law, prescribing the manner in which persons may become members and the mode of calling and warning its meetings, and regulating the management of its affairs.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 5 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 5 - Membership; Rights and Restrictions

Section 5. A person belonging to such society shall continue a member thereof until he files with the clerk a written declaration of the dissolution of his membership; but after filing such notice he shall not be liable for any grant or contract thereafter made on entered into by such society. No person shall be made a member of a religious society without his written consent.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 6 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 6 - Membership; Women and Non-Residents

Section 6. A religious society may admit women to membership with full rights and privileges, and a territorial parish may admit to membership persons who are not residents of its territory.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 7 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 7 - Meetings; Election of Officers; Tenure; Vacancies

Section 7. Every incorporated religious society shall hold an annual meeting at such time as it shall prescribe by its by-laws, and, if the by-laws do not otherwise provide, at a place appointed by its assessors or standing committee; and at such meeting it shall choose a moderator, clerk, a standing committee or two or more assessors, a treasurer, a collector, and such other officers as it may think necessary, all of whom, except the moderator, shall, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, hold office until the next annual meeting and until their successors are qualified. Vacancies in said offices may be filled at any legal meeting.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 8 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 8 - Method of Election of Officers

Section 8. Moderators for meetings held for the choice of officers shall be elected by ballot. Clerks, assessors, treasurers and collectors shall be elected by ballot, and shall be sworn. Other officers may be elected in such manner as the society determines.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 9 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 9 - Powers of Moderator

Section 9. The moderator shall have like powers with the moderator of a town meeting; and whoever is guilty of disorderly behavior at a meeting of a religious society shall be subject to the penalties provided for like offences in town meetings.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 10 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 10 - Assessors or Standing Committee; Election; Tenure

Section 10. The assessors or standing committee may be elected for such term, not exceeding three years, as the parish or religious society may by vote or by-law prescribe, and the vote or by-law may provide that the term of office of the assessors or members of the standing committee may expire in different years.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 11 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 11 - Management of Prudential Affairs

Section 11. The prudential affairs of such societies shall be managed by their assessors or by a standing committee, who, unless the by-laws otherwise provide, shall have like authority for calling meetings as selectmen have for calling town meetings.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 12 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 12 - Procedure When Officers Fail to Call Meeting

Section 12. If there are no assessors or committee, or if such officers unreasonably refuse to call a meeting, a justice of the peace may, upon the application of five or more membors, call a meeting in the manner provided in section twenty-two.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 13 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 13 - Warning of Meetings

Section 13. Meetings shall be warned in the manner provided by any by-law or vote of the society, or, if no such provision has been made, in such manner as the assessors or standing committee in their warrant may direct.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 14 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 14 - Warrant for Meetings; Contents

Section 14. The assessors or committee shall insert in the warrant for a meeting any matter the insertion of which five or more members of the society may in writing request. Nothing shall be acted upon at a meeting unless the subject matter thereof was inserted in the warrant.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 15 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 15 - Presiding Officer During Selection of Moderator; Oath of Office

Section 15. The clerk or, if there is no clerk or if he is absent, one of the assessors or of the standing committee shall preside in the choice of a moderator, after which a clerk may be chosen, either pro tempore or to fill the vacancy. The moderator may administer the oath of office to the clerk, and the clerk to the assessors, treasurer and collector, or said oaths may be administered by a justice of the peace.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 16 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 16 - Collector

Section 16. If the person who is chosen collector is present and accepts the office, he shall forthwith be sworn. If not present, he shall be summoned to take the oath by a constable or by any person whom the clerk or assessors appoint for the purpose. Upon the refusal or neglect of a person present to accept such office at the time, or upon the neglect of a person so summoned, for the space of seven days, to appear and take the oath, the society shall proceed to a new choice; and so from time to time until some person accepts and is sworn.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 17 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 17 - Appropriations

Section 17. A religious society may, at its annual meeting or at any other meeting regularly notified seven days at least before the holding thereof, grant and vote money necessary for the settlement and support of ministers or public teachers of religion, for the building or repairing of houses of public worship, for sacred music, for the purchase and preservation of burial grounds, and for other necessary parish charges.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 18 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 18 - Assessments on Pews and Property of Members; Liability of Members for Parish Debts

Section 18. No parish or religious society shall assess taxes on the polls or estates of its members; but pews may be assessed as heretofore. No member of any territorial or other parish shall, as such, be personally liable for any debt or obligation of the parish incurred after April sixth, eighteen hundred and ninety-seven.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 19 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 19 - Sale or Removal of Pews or Meeting-House

Section 19. A religious society may, under sections thirty-three and thirty-four, for the purpose of altering, enlarging, removing or rebuilding its house or building a new house, take down any pews therein or sell the house.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 20 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 20 - ''religious Society'' and ''society'', Defined

Section 20. The terms ''religious society'' and ''society'' in the preceding sections shall include parishes.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 21 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 21 - Incorporation of Religious Societies

Section 21. An unincorporated religious society, if it contains ten or more members, male or female, may become a corporation, and may hold so much real and personal estate as may be necessary for the objects of such organization, and no more.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 22 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 22 - Organization Meeting; Certificate of Incorporation, Filing, Etc.

Section 22. A justice of the peace, upon written application by five or more of the members of such society, may issue his warrant directed to one of the applicants, stating the objects of the proposed meeting, and requiring him to warn the members of the society to meet at a time and place appointed in the warrant; and such warrant may be served by posting an attested copy thereof on the principal outer door or some other conspicuous part of the meeting house of such society or by leaving such copy with, or at the last and usual places of abode of, the members of the society seven days at least before such meeting; and, upon return thereof, the same or any other justice of the peace may preside at the meeting during the choice and qualification of a clerk and until a moderator is chosen; and the society may thereupon choose a moderator and do such other things as parishes may do at their annual meetings, if the subject matter thereof is inserted in the warrant. The clerk shall enter at large upon the records of the society the proceedings in the organization thereof.  The moderator and clerk shall forthwith make, sign, swear to and file in the office of the state secretary a certificate stating the name of the corporation, its purpose, the town and county where located, the date of the meeting for organization and any adjournments thereof and the names of the officers elected; otherwise the organization shall be void.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 23 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 23 - Incorporation of Religious Society

Section 23. Ten or more persons, male or female, who desire to form a religious society, may make written application therefor to a justice of the peace, who may thereupon issue his warrant, directed to one of the applicants, stating the objects of the proposed society, and requiring him to warn said persons to meet at a time and place appointed in the warrant. The warrant shall be issued, served and executed, and the meeting held in the manner and for the purposes set forth in the preceding section; and such persons, upon complying with said section, shall become a corporation under a name to be assumed at such meeting, with all the powers, rights and privileges, and subject to all the duties, limitations and restrictions, relating to religious societies.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 24 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 24 - Incorporation of Owners of Meeting Houses

Section 24. Persons owning or proposing to build a house of public worship may organize in the manner provided by the preceding section, and shall thereupon become a corporation with the powers and subject to the duties set forth in chapter one hundred and fifty-five and in the following sections.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 25 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 25 - Restrictions on Amount of Property Owned; Use of Income

Section 25. Such corporation may hold so much real and personal estate, in addition to its meeting house, as may be necessary for its objects, and no more; and the annual income thereof shall be applied to parochial purposes.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 26 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 26 - Record of Organization Proceedings; Filing

Section 26. The clerk of such corporation, within ten days after the meeting at which it was organized, shall file with the state secretary a true copy of the record of the proceedings of its organization; otherwise the organization shall be void.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 27 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 27 - Use of Funds; Purposes

Section 27. Such corporation, at a legal meeting called for the purpose, may vote to alter, enlarge, repair, rebuild or remove its house, or to build a new one, and may vote the money necessary for such purpose and for the purchase of the land necessary therefor; and such corporation at its annual meeting or at any other meeting regularly called seven days at least before the holding thereof, may grant and vote money necessary for the settlement and support of ministers or public teachers of religion, for sacred music, for the purchase and preservation of burial grounds, and for other necessary charges.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 28 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 28 - Societies Incorporated Under Special Acts; Powers

Section 28. A religious society incorporated under a special act shall have the powers set forth in the preceding section, anything contained in any special act of incorporation or amendment thereof, or in section one, to the contrary notwithstanding.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 29 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 29 - Manner of Calling Meetings

Section 29. A meeting for any purpose mentioned in section twenty-seven may be called in the manner prescribed in the by-laws or votes of the corporation, or, upon written application by any five of its members, by a warrant issued by a justice of the peace, directed to one of the applicants; or such meeting may be called by a notice by the clerk, who shall warn a meeting on a like application to him; and in either case the meeting may be warned by notice served as provided in section twenty-two.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 30 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 30 - Collection of Assessments

Section 30. Money voted by such corporation may be assessed on the pews in its meeting house, and the assessment may be committed to its treasurer, who shall forthwith give notice by posting an advertisement on the principal outer door of the meeting house, stating the making of such assessment and the date of its delivery to him; and if any part of the taxes so assessed remains unpaid for three months thereafter, the treasurer shall forthwith collect the same by sales by public auction of the pews upon which such taxes remain unpaid.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 31 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 31 - Sale of Pews for Taxes

Section 31. The treasurer, at least three weeks before the time of the sale of a pew for taxes, shall post a notice of the intended sale on the principal outer door of the meeting house, stating the number of the pew, if any; the name of the owner or occupant, if known; and the amount of the tax due thereon; and if any part of said tax remains unpaid at the time of sale, he shall sell the pew by public auction to the highest bidder and shall execute and deliver to the purchaser a bill of sale thereof. The money arising from the sale, in excess of the taxes and reasonable incidental charges, shall be paid by the treasurer to the former owner of the pew.
MA Gen L ch 67 § 32 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XI - Certain Religious and Charitable Matters|Chapter 67 - Parishes and Religious Societies|Section 32 - Notice of Sale; Affidavit of Posting

Section 32. An affidavit, annexed to an original notice or to a copy thereof and recorded on the records of the corporation within six months after the sale, shall be proof of the posting of such notice.