reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MA Gen L ch 46 § 4 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 46 - Return and Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths|Section 4 - Birth Without Attending Physician; Report; Recording; Petition; Hearing

Section 4. The mother of a child who was born without a physician or hospital medical officer in attendance shall, within thirty days after the birth of such child, file a report of such birth, signed and sworn to by her, setting forth the facts required for a record as provided in section one, with the clerk or registrar of the city or town wherein such birth occurred. Such report shall be on a form prepared and furnished to the clerk by the commissioner. Written evidence substantiating such facts shall be required by said clerk or registrar and if he is satisfied as to the truth and accuracy thereof, he shall make a record of such birth. If, however, in the opinion of the clerk or registrar such evidence is not satisfactory, he shall refuse, in writing, to record such birth. The mother may then present a petition, together with such written refusal and her evidence to establish the validity of such record, to a judge of the probate court for the county where such birth occurred. Written notice shall be given to said clerk or registrar of the time and place of the hearing on such petition. After such hearing, if the court is of the opinion that such birth should be recorded, it shall order such recording. Upon receipt of such order, the clerk or registrar shall make a record of such birth.
MA Gen L ch 46 § 4a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 46 - Return and Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths|Section 4a - Local Officials; Processing of Birth Certificates

Section 4A. Each town clerk upon receipt of the return of a birth in his town shall determine that it is filled out in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and if he shall record it as required by section one. If there are any deficiencies or omissions therein, he shall contact the physician, administrator or parents, as the case may require, for the necessary clarification, amendment or supplementation or may require the preparation of a new certificate if necessary to insure compliance with this chapter.  Upon request of the chairman of the local board of health, said town clerk shall file daily with the local board of health a list of all births reported to him, showing as to each, the date of birth, sex, name of the child, names of the parents, their residence and the name of the physician or officer in charge. Such list shall not be a public record.
MA Gen L ch 46 § 4b (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 46 - Return and Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths|Section 4b - Artificial Insemination

Section 4B. Any child born to a married woman as a result of artificial insemination with the consent of her husband, shall be considered the legitimate child of the mother and such husband.
MA Gen L ch 46 § 6 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 46 - Return and Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths|Section 6 - Notification of Births and Deaths

Section 6. Parents, within forty days after the birth of a child, and every householder, within forty days after a birth in his house, shall cause notice thereof to be given to the clerk of the town where such child is born. The commissioner of children and families, within forty days after the delivery or commitment of an abandoned child or foundling to the department of children and families, shall cause notice of the birth of such child or foundling to be given to the clerk of the town wherein such child or foundling was found. Every householder in whose house a death occurs and the oldest next of kin of a deceased person in the town where the death occurs shall, within five days thereafter, cause notice thereof to be given to the board of health, or, if the selectmen constitute such board, to the town clerk. The keeper, superintendent or person in charge of a house of correction, prison, reformatory, hospital, infirmary or other institution, public or private, which receives inmates from within or without the limits of the town where it is located shall, when a person is received, obtain a record of all the facts which would be required for record in the event of the death of such person, and shall, on or before the fifth day of each month, give notice to the town clerk of every birth and death among the persons under his charge during the preceding month. The facts required for record by section one or section one A, as the case may be, shall, so far as obtainable, be included in every notice given under this section.
MA Gen L ch 46 § 7 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 46 - Return and Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths|Section 7 - Report of Births and Deaths at Sea

Section 7. The master or other commanding officer of a vessel shall give notice, with the facts required for record, of every birth or death occurring among the persons under his charge. The notice of a birth shall be given to the clerk, and the notice of a death shall be given to the board of health or, if the selectmen constitute such board, to the clerk of the town at which his vessel first arrives after such birth or death.
MA Gen L ch 46 § 7a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 46 - Return and Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths|Section 7a - Report of Births on Airplanes; Penalty for Violation

Section 7A. The captain or other commanding officer of an airplane shall give notice, with the facts required for record, of every birth occurring among the persons under his charge. Said notice shall be given to the clerk of the town at which his airplane first arrives after such birth. The captain or other commanding officer of an airplane neglecting to give notice of such a birth for ten days after the arrival of his airplane at the place where notice is to be given shall forfeit not more than five dollars.
MA Gen L ch 46 § 8 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 46 - Return and Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths|Section 8 - Penalty for Failure to Report Births and Deaths

Section 8. A parent, keeper, superintendent or other person required by section six to give or cause to be given notice of a birth or death, neglecting so to do for ten days after the time limited therefor, and the master or commanding officer of a vessel neglecting so to do for ten days after the arrival of his vessel at the place where notice is to be given, shall forfeit not more than five dollars.
MA Gen L ch 46 § 9b (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 46 - Return and Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths|Section 9b - Penalties

Section 9B. A physician or officer neglecting or refusing to furnish a certificate as provided in section nine or making a false statement therein, shall forfeit not more than fifty dollars.
MA Gen L ch 46 § 10 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 46 - Return and Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths|Section 10 - Death Certificates of Veterans; Contents; Penalty for Violation

Section 10. A physician or officer furnishing a certificate of death as required by section nine or by section forty-five of chapter one hundred and fourteen, shall, if the deceased, to the best of his knowledge and belief, was a Spanish War, World War I, World War II, Korean or Vietnam veteran, as defined in clause Forty-third of section seven of chapter four, or served in the Mexican border service of nineteen hundred and sixteen and nineteen hundred and seventeen, insert in the certificate a recital to that effect, and shall also certify in such certificate both the primary and the secondary or immediate cause of death as nearly as he can state the same. For neglect to comply with any provision of this section, such physician or officer shall forfeit ten dollars.
MA Gen L ch 46 § 11 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 46 - Return and Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths|Section 11 - Duties of Undertakers

Section 11. Every undertaker or other person in charge of a funeral shall forthwith obtain the physician's or officer's certificate required by section nine, enter thereon the facts as to the deceased required by section one to be recorded, and return it to the board of health or its agent, or, if the selectmen constitute such board, to the clerk of the town where the death occurred. The board of health shall transmit such certificate to the town clerk.
MA Gen L ch 46 § 12 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 46 - Return and Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths|Section 12 - Certified Copies of Birth Certificates and Death Records; Transmission to Parents or Next of Kin; Exceptions

Section 12. Except as hereinafter provided, the clerk of a city or town shall forthwith make a certified copy of the record of each birth and death recorded during the preceding month, if the parents of the child born were at the time of said birth residents of any other city or town in the commonwealth, or if the deceased at the time of his death was a resident of any other city or town aforesaid or was a war veteran and was buried in any other city or town aforesaid, and transmit such certified copy to the clerk of the city or town where such parents or deceased person were so resident, setting forth the name of the street and number of the house, if any, where such parents or deceased person so resided and, in the case of a deceased war veteran as aforesaid, to the clerk of the city or town where he was buried, setting forth the cemetery or other place of burial. No birth record of a child born out of wedlock or of a child of abnormal sex shall be so transmitted to any other city or town except with the written authorization of the natural mother at the time of the birth.
MA Gen L ch 46 § 13a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 46 - Return and Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths|Section 13a - Correction of Birth Records; Procedure

Section 13A. If it is claimed that a child was born in a city or town in this commonwealth and the clerk or registrar of such city or town has no record thereof, said clerk or registrar may receive an affidavit, signed and sworn to by a parent of such child, or, in his discretion, by some credible person or persons having knowledge of the case, setting forth the facts relating to such birth, in the manner provided by section one, and documentary evidence substantiating such facts beyond reasonable doubt. The minimum documentary evidence to be required in accordance with this section shall be determined by regulation as provided for in section four of chapter seventeen. If said clerk or registrar is satisfied as to the truth and accuracy of the statements in such affidavit and the sufficiency of the evidence submitted therewith, he shall make a record of such birth.  A person who is unable to furnish such an affidavit for the establishment of his birth record may petition the clerk or registrar of the city or town wherein it is claimed his birth occurred for the recording of his birth. If the evidence submitted by the petitioner is satisfactory to said clerk or registrar as a basis for establishing such record, he shall accept the same and record the birth. If, however, in the opinion of said clerk or registrar such evidence is not satisfactory, he shall refuse in writing to record the birth. Such person may then present a petition, together with such written refusal and his evidence to establish the validity of such record, to a judge of the probate court of the county in which such city or town is located. Written notice shall be given to said clerk or registrar of the time and place of the hearing on such petition. After such hearing, if it is the opinion of the court that such birth should be recorded, it shall be so ordered. Upon receipt of such order from said judge, said clerk or registrar shall establish the record.
MA Gen L ch 46 § 14 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 46 - Return and Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths|Section 14 - Penalty for False Returns

Section 14. Whoever wilfully makes a false return relative to a birth, marriage or death shall forfeit not more than fifty dollars.
MA Gen L ch 46 § 16 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 46 - Return and Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths|Section 16 - Blank Forms for Vital Records; Security Features; Approval of Non-State Registrar Supplied Forms; Standards for Forms Used for Permanent Records

Section 16. The state registrar shall prepare and furnish forms of uniform size to the clerks, boards of health, physicians, hospitals, the chief medical examiner, funeral directors, probate and district courts and others involved in the preparation and registration of vital records and shall provide them with any necessary instructions and explanations as to use of such forms. All forms shall have security features that deter alteration, counterfeiting, duplication or simulation of vital records and shall meet applicable federal and state standards established for this purpose. All forms and other materials that are used for preparation of vital records but are not supplied by the state registrar shall be approved by the state registrar. All forms used for permanent records shall meet standards established by the state registrar, which standards shall be no less stringent than the current standards of the supervisor of public records and the state archivist for materials, devices and preservation.
MA Gen L ch 46 § 17 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 46 - Return and Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths|Section 17 - Birth Records; State Registrar; Originals; Certified Copies

Section 17. Effective January 1, 2000, the clerk of each town and of each city shall, on or before the tenth day of the second month following every month in which births occurred in the city or town, transmit to the state registrar, upon forms furnished by him, the original records of such births and any documentary evidence including voluntary acknowledgments signed by the parents and adjudications of paternity entered by the court. The clerk of each city and town shall retain a certified copy of said birth records. If no births occurred in the city or town during the month for which a report is required, a report of such fact shall be sent on forms provided by the state registrar. Prior to January 1, 2000, the city or town clerk in which the birth occurred shall forward to the state registrar a certified copy of each record of birth and original copies of all acknowledgments and adjudications of paternity filed with such birth records. The city or town clerk shall make an attested, certified copy of these documents for the files of the office of the city or town clerk.
MA Gen L ch 46 § 17a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 46 - Return and Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths|Section 17a - Marriage Records; State Registrar; Originals; Certified Copies

Section 17A. Effective January 1, 2000, the clerk of each city and town shall, on or before the tenth day of the second month following every month in which marriages are solemnized, transmit to the state registrar upon forms furnished by him, the original record of such marriages and all documentary evidence. Certified copies of the marriages shall be retained by said clerk. If no marriages were filed for the month of the report, a report of such fact shall be transmitted to the state registrar. Prior to January 1, 2000, the clerk shall maintain all original documents and transmit to the state registrar a certified copy of each record of marriage. The clerk of each city and town shall annually, not later than April 15, report to the state registrar on forms furnished by him the number of intentions filed in the clerk's office, and the number of intentions on which licenses were not issued, or, if issued, not returned to the clerk.
MA Gen L ch 46 § 17b (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 46 - Return and Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths|Section 17b - Death Records; State Registrar; Originals; Certified Copies

Section 17B. Effective January 1, 2000, the clerk of each city and town shall, on or before the tenth day of the month, transmit to the state registrar upon forms furnished by him, the original records of death and any documentation relating to said certificates of death recorded therein during the preceding month or, in case no such deaths have occurred, a certificate of such fact. The clerk in the city or town shall retain a certified copy of the record of said death. Prior to January 1, 2000, the clerk shall maintain all original documents and supporting documentation and transmit to the state registrar a certified copy of each record of death.
MA Gen L ch 46 § 17c (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 46 - Return and Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths|Section 17c - Original Forms and Evidence of Amendments and Corrections in Birth, Marriage and Death Records

Section 17C. The original form and documentary evidence of such amendments and corrections in birth, marriage and death records as have not been previously returned shall be transmitted to the state registrar by the tenth day of the following month. A certified copy of any such forms completed by the clerk shall be retained by said clerk.
MA Gen L ch 46 § 17d (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 46 - Return and Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths|Section 17d - Amended Birth, Marriage and Death Records; Certified Copies to Holders of Originals

Section 17D. If an amendment to a birth, death or marriage record is completed at the state registry, the state registrar shall forward a certified copy of the amended birth, death or marriage record to all cities and towns holding an original or certified copy of the initial record within ten days of recording such event. If a delayed record of birth or death or other return of birth or death is recorded by the state registry, the state registrar shall transmit a certified copy of a delayed record of marriage to the town clerk where the original intention of marriage was filed. In cases where no such intention has been filed, the state registrar shall transmit such certified copy to the town clerk in the community where the marriage occurred.
MA Gen L ch 46 § 18 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 46 - Return and Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths|Section 18 - Script Used on Forms; State Standards for Uniformity, Security, Materials, Devices and Preservation

Section 18. Records transmitted by the town clerk under section 12 and sections 17 to 17D, inclusive, shall be written in legible hand, typewritten, printed using an electronic format approved by the state registrar or printed using the centralized, automated database operated by the state registrar pursuant to section 32. All forms and formats shall have the prior approval of the state registrar and shall meet state standards for uniformity, security, materials, devices and preservation.
MA Gen L ch 46 § 19 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 46 - Return and Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths|Section 19 - Use of Records as Evidence

Section 19. The record of the town clerk relative to a birth, marriage or death shall be prima facie evidence of the facts recorded, but nothing contained in the record of a death which has reference to the question of liability for causing the death shall be admissible in evidence. A certificate of such a record, signed by the town clerk or assistant clerk, or a certificate of the copy of the record relative to a birth, marriage or death required to be kept in the department of public health, signed by the commissioner of public health or the registrar of vital records and statistics, shall be admissible as evidence of such record. Upon request for an abbreviated record of a birth, marriage or death, the clerk or assistant clerk, commissioner of public health or registrar of vital records and statistics, shall make an abstract of the record of the same without notation thereon of the name of the parent or parents, except by request of the applicant. Upon the written request of the person to whom the record relates or of either of his parents, the clerk or assistant clerk, commissioner of public health or registrar of vital records and statistics, shall issue a certified copy of a birth record containing no reference to the color of said person or his parents.
MA Gen L ch 46 § 19a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 46 - Return and Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths|Section 19a - Unauthorized Reproduction of Records; Penalty

Section 19A. Reproductions of certificates or records referred to in section nineteen by any person other than the town clerk, assistant clerk, commissioner of public health shall be prohibited, except that a register of deeds, register of probate or other county, state, municipal or federal official keeper of public records may, in the course of his official duties, reproduce such certificates or records as are required in his office. Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.
MA Gen L ch 46 § 19b (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 46 - Return and Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths|Section 19b - Certified Copies of Birth Records; Restricted Information Regarding Mother

Section 19B. A certified copy of a birth record furnished under section two A shall not, unless the applicant so requests or unless the certificate is to be used in conjunction with a judicial proceeding, include the name of or any other information regarding the mother.
MA Gen L ch 46 § 19c (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 46 - Return and Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths|Section 19c - Authentication of Copies of Birth, Marriage and Death Records; Use as Evidence

Section 19C. The state registrar shall use the seal of the department of public health for the purpose of authenticating copies of birth, marriage and death records, and copies of such records when certified by him and authenticated by said seal, shall be evidence like the originals.