reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MA Gen L ch 98 § 29a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XV - Regulation of Trade|Chapter 98 - Weights and Measures|Section 29a - Civil Citation for Violation of Weights and Measures Laws; Appeal

Section 29A. As an alternative to initiating criminal proceedings for violations of the following weights and measures laws: section 115A of chapter 6; sections 92B, 96, 98, 174A, 176, 177, sections 181 to 183, inclusive, section 184E, sections 295A to 295K, inclusive, sections 299 and 303F of chapter 94; sections 19, 24, 25, 26, 31, 35, 42, 45, 48, 55, and 56A to 56D, inclusive, of chapter 98, any representative authorized by the director of standards and any person authorized under sections 34, 35 or 36 of this chapter may issue a civil citation for violations of said weights and measures laws in the amount of 75 per cent of the maximum criminal fine provided for said violation, to be paid within 21 days of the date of issuance of such citation.  Any person aggrieved by any citation issued pursuant to this section may appeal said citation by filing a notice of appeal with the director of standards within seven days of the receipt of the citation. Any such appellant shall be granted a hearing before a representative of the director of standards in accordance with chapter 30A. The hearing officer may affirm, vacate or modify the citation. Any person aggrieved by a decision of the hearing officer may file an appeal in the superior court pursuant to the provisions of said chapter 30A.  If a person fails to comply with the requirement set forth in any citation issued pursuant to this section, or shall fail to pay any civil penalty provided thereby within 21 days of the date of issuance of such citation, or within 30 days following the decision of the hearing officer if such citation has been appealed, excluding any time during which judicial review of the hearing officer's decision remains pending, the director of the division of standards may apply for a criminal complaint against such person for the violation, or may initiate a civil action in the district court.  All monies collected by a municipality or local consumer aid groups authorized by the director of standards under said civil citations, less any fee owed to the division of standards for contracted enforcement services pursuant to section 35, shall be retained by such municipality or local consumer aid group authorized by the director of standards, and shall be expended for the purposes of enforcement of item pricing and weights and measures laws. All monies collected by the division of standards under said civil citations shall be credited to the general fund.  Any citation issued by a municipality with a population of over 400,000 is exempt from this appellate procedure. All notices of appeals should be filed with said municipality's appellate board.
MA Gen L ch 98 § 31 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XV - Regulation of Trade|Chapter 98 - Weights and Measures|Section 31 - Use of Seals; Imitation or Counterfeit Seals

Section 31. The deputy director and town and district sealers shall keep seals for their use. The seal of the deputy director shall bear the letters ''C.M.'' and those of the sealers shall be of a type approved by the deputy director. Any sealer neglecting to keep such a seal shall forfeit not more than twenty dollars, and whoever, without being duly authorized thereto, impersonates a sealer or deputy by the use of a seal or otherwise, or has in his possession an imitation or counterfeit of the seal used by a sealer or deputy shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars or shall be subject to a civil citation as provided in section 29A.
MA Gen L ch 98 § 32 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XV - Regulation of Trade|Chapter 98 - Weights and Measures|Section 32 - Tests, Inspections and Adjustments of Town Standards and Devices; Complaints; Enforcement

Section 32. Upon the request of a sealer, and at such other times as the deputy director deems necessary, said deputy director shall cause the standards of apothecaries' weights and apothecaries' liquid measures and the other standard weights, measures and balances of each town to be tested, adjusted and sealed or certified under his direction. He shall also see that such standards are kept in good order and condition, and may at any time, and shall on request of the sealer, cause an inspection of the standards to be made. The deputy director and his inspectors may also inspect any weighing or measuring devices used for buying, selling or exchanging goods, wares, merchandise or other commodity, or for public weighing in a town, and, if found inaccurate, shall forthwith inform the mayor or selectmen, who shall cause the law relating thereto to be enforced. If the deputy director or an inspector discovers a violation of law, he may make and prosecute a complaint and shall have therefor the same statutory powers relative to the enforcement of laws pertaining to weights and measures as are vested in local sealers. Every sealer neglecting to have the standards in his care sealed as provided in this section shall forfeit not more than fifty dollars.
MA Gen L ch 98 § 33 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XV - Regulation of Trade|Chapter 98 - Weights and Measures|Section 33 - Testing of Weighing and Measuring Devices in State Institutions; Reports; Appointment of Special Deputies

Section 33. The deputy director or his inspectors under his direction, shall at least once in each year test all weighing and measuring devices used in checking the receipt or disbursements of supplies in each state institution or department, and shall mark them in accordance with the results of such tests. He shall report in writing his findings to the executive officers of the institution or department; and at their request shall appoint in writing one or more employees, then in the actual service of such institution or department, as special deputies to check the receipt or disbursement of supplies.
MA Gen L ch 98 § 33a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XV - Regulation of Trade|Chapter 98 - Weights and Measures|Section 33a - Testing of Weighing and Measuring Devices in Towns of 5,000 or Less Inhabitants

Section 33A. The deputy director or his inspectors, under his direction, shall at least once in each year test all weighing and measuring devices which are used for the purpose of buying or selling goods, wares or merchandise, for public weighing or for hire or reward, in towns of five thousand or less inhabitants, and shall mark them in accordance with the results of such tests. The number of inhabitants shall mean the population as determined by the last preceding federal census.
MA Gen L ch 98 § 34 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XV - Regulation of Trade|Chapter 98 - Weights and Measures|Section 34 - Appointment of Sealers and Deputies in Cities and Large Towns; Powers and Duties; Interference With Sealer; Compensation; Fees; Certification

Section 34. Subject to chapter thirty-one, the mayor of each city and the selectmen of each town of over 20,000 inhabitants shall appoint a sealer, and may appoint one or more deputies to act under the direction of the sealer. The sealer and deputies shall enforce the law pertaining to weighing and measuring devices and to the giving of false or insufficient weight or measure, and any person who hinders, obstructs or in any way interferes with a sealer or deputy in the performance of duty shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars for the first offense and a fine of not more than one thousand dollars for each subsequent offense. Sealers and deputies appointed hereunder shall receive a salary to be determined by the board, officer or body authorized to determine salaries in their respective cities and towns, and shall also receive an additional allowance for transportation and other necessary expenses. They shall account for and pay into their city or town treasuries monthly all fees received and shall make an annual report to the appointing board or officer, and to the director as provided by section thirty-seven. The sealer and all deputies shall be certified by the committee within one year after assuming their powers and duties. Failure to become certified within one year shall be cause for termination; provided, however, that sealers, inspectors or deputy sealers or deputy inspectors, employed by the division or a municipality upon the effective date of this paragraph, shall become certified within two years. Sealers, inspectors or deputy sealers or deputy inspectors who pass a civil service exam for a position as a sealer, inspector or deputy sealer or deputy inspector of weights and measures, shall be exempt from certification requirements. Notwithstanding any certification exemption, all sealers, inspectors and deputy sealers and deputy inspectors shall participate in continuing education programs. The committee shall establish a training and education fee to be paid by the municipality which employs such sealer, inspector, deputy sealer and deputy inspector sufficient to offset the cost of providing such training and education.
MA Gen L ch 98 § 35 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XV - Regulation of Trade|Chapter 98 - Weights and Measures|Section 35 - Comprehensive Weights and Measures Enforcement System in Small Towns; Certification of Sealers and Deputies

Section 35. (a) The mayor of each city and the selectmen of each town of more than 5,000 and less than 20,000 inhabitants shall establish a comprehensive weights measures enforcement system, subject to annual review by the director, by adopting one of the following three methods:  (1) The mayor of each city and the selectmen of each town of more than 5,000 and less than 20,000 inhabitants may annually appoint a sealer and may appoint one or more deputies to act under his direction. The sealer and all deputies shall be certified by the committee within one year after assuming their powers and duties. Such sealers and deputies shall have the same powers and duties as sealers and deputies appointed under section 34 and shall receive such compensation as may be determined by the selectmen and mayor and an additional allowance for transportation and other necessary expenses. The selectmen and mayor may at any time remove such sealers or deputies and appoint others in their places.  (2) The mayor of each city and the selectmen of each town of more than 5,000 and less than 20,000 inhabitants may contract with the director for the enforcement of the laws pertaining to the sealing of weighing and measuring devices, inspections of item and unit pricing laws and enforcement of other laws relative to weights and measures. The committee shall adopt and shall enforce all such reasonable regulations as may be necessary to establish such contracts. The committee shall set a fee schedule for such enforcement services sufficient to offset the cost of providing such services.  (3) The mayor of each city and the selectmen of each town of more than 5,000 and less than 20,000 inhabitants may combine the whole or part of their territories to establish a weights and measures program as set forth in section 36.  (b) The sealer and all deputies shall be certified by the committee within one year after assuming their powers and duties. Failure to become certified within one year shall be cause for termination. Sealers, inspectors or deputy sealers or deputy inspectors, employed by the division or a municipality upon the effective date of this section, shall become certified within two years; provided, however, that sealers, inspectors or deputy sealers or deputy inspectors who pass a civil service exam for a position as a sealer, inspector or deputy sealer or deputy inspector of weights and measures, shall be exempt from certification requirements. Regardless of any certification exemption, all sealers, inspectors, and deputy sealers and deputy inspectors shall participate in continuing education programs. The committee shall establish a training and education fee to be paid by the municipality which employs each sealer, inspector, deputy sealer and deputy inspector sufficient to offset the cost of providing such training and education.
MA Gen L ch 98 § 36 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XV - Regulation of Trade|Chapter 98 - Weights and Measures|Section 36 - Appointment of District Sealers; Powers and Duties; Bond; Compensation; Records; Fees; Certification

Section 36. Two or more municipalities may combine the whole or any part of their respective territories as may be agreed upon by the boards or officers having the appointing power in such municipalities into a district with one district sealer and one set of standards. He shall have the powers of and perform the duties of sealers under the direction of the director within the district. Each such sealer shall forthwith on his appointment give bond, with sureties approved by the appointing power, for the faithful performance of his duties, for the safety of the standards, working equipment, records, and other things committed to him, and for their surrender to his successor or to any person duly appointed to receive them. He shall be paid a salary determined by the appointing power and shall be provided by them with necessary standards and working equipment, and shall be allowed necessary sums for transportation and other expenses. Each such sealer shall keep a complete record of all his official acts and shall make an annual report to the director as provided by the following section and to each city or town in his district. He shall account for and pay into the treasury of each city or town monthly all fees received by virtue of his office in such city or town. The sealer and all deputies shall be certified by the director within one year after assuming their powers and duties. Failure to become certified within one year shall be cause for termination; provided, however, that sealers, inspectors or deputy sealers or deputy inspectors, employed by the division or a municipality upon the effective date of this section, shall become certified within two years. Sealers, inspectors or deputy sealers or deputy inspectors who pass a civil service exam for a position as a sealer, inspector or deputy sealer or deputy inspector of weights and measures, shall be exempt from certification requirements. Notwithstanding any certification exemption, all sealers, inspectors, deputy sealers and deputy inspectors shall participate in continuing education programs. The committee shall establish a training and education fee to be paid by the municipality which employs each sealer, inspector, deputy sealer and deputy inspector sufficient to offset the cost of providing such training and education.
MA Gen L ch 98 § 36a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XV - Regulation of Trade|Chapter 98 - Weights and Measures|Section 36a - Determination That Cities or Towns Have an Inadequate Weights and Measures Enforcement System; Assumption of Responsibilities

Section 36A. For a city or town where the mayor or board of selectmen have appointed a sealer pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of section 35, or for a city or town where the mayor or board of selectmen have appointed a sealer pursuant to section 34, or for a city or town where the mayor or board of selectmen have failed to appoint a sealer, or for municipalities which have combined their territories pursuant to section 36, the director may, upon complaint and after investigation, determine that such city or town has an inadequate weights and measures enforcement system for the purposes of this section the term inadequate shall be defined as the failure to name a sealer, failure to file an annual report, or gross failure to complete mandatory inspections of weighing and measuring devices and retail scanners. Upon such determination, the director shall send notice to such city or town of the intent of the director to take responsibility for enforcing the weights and measures laws in such city or town. If within 60 days of the notification by the director, such city or town has not improved the weights and measures enforcement system to the satisfaction of the director, the director shall assume responsibility for weights and measures enforcement, including inspectional services, in such city or town and the director may charge such city or town for the cost of said services, until such time as the director determines that an adequate local program is in place.
MA Gen L ch 98 § 37 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XV - Regulation of Trade|Chapter 98 - Weights and Measures|Section 37 - Reports of Municipalities; Weighing and Measuring Devices

Section 37. Each municipality shall annually, between January 1 and January 31, submit to the director a written report that describes the components of the municipality's weights and measures program, including, but not limited to, an inventory of all weighing and measuring devices and equipment and the date of the most recent certification for each device or piece of equipment, inspection results by category, results of tests performed pursuant to section 56D, total citations issued by category, the net loss restored to consumers and merchants as a result of its enforcement program, and any other information required by the director.  A municipality that does not report to the director in the manner prescribed in this section shall not be eligible to retain any revenues generated by the municipality as a result of imposing civil citations as provided in section 29A.
MA Gen L ch 98 § 38 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XV - Regulation of Trade|Chapter 98 - Weights and Measures|Section 38 - Duplicate Set of Apothecaries' Weights and Liquid Measures

Section 38. Sealers shall, upon request to the deputy director, be provided, at the expense of their towns, with duplicate sets of apothecaries' weights and apothecaries' liquid measures described in section three, to be used as standards in the towns where they are kept.
MA Gen L ch 98 § 39 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XV - Regulation of Trade|Chapter 98 - Weights and Measures|Section 39 - Receipt and Accountability of Town Standards and Seal

Section 39. Except as otherwise provided in section thirty-six each sealer shall receive from his town treasurer a set of standards and a seal, and shall give a receipt therefor, stating their condition when received; and shall be accountable to such town for the preservation thereof in like condition until returned to the treasurer.
MA Gen L ch 98 § 40 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XV - Regulation of Trade|Chapter 98 - Weights and Measures|Section 40 - Duplicate Set of Weights, Measures and Balances

Section 40. A sealer or deputy visiting the place of business of a person to test and seal weighing or measuring devices may use therefor suitable weights, measures and balances; and each town and district shall furnish its sealer with one or more duplicate sets of weights, measures and balances, which shall at all times be kept to conform to the standards provided by the commonwealth; and all weighing or measuring devices so sealed shall be deemed legally sealed, as if tested and sealed with the standards.
MA Gen L ch 98 § 41 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XV - Regulation of Trade|Chapter 98 - Weights and Measures|Section 41 - Annual Testing and Sealing of Weights and Measures; Notice; Record

Section 41. Sealers shall annually give public notice, by advertisement or by posting notices in one or more public places in their towns or districts, to all inhabitants, or persons having usual places of business therein, using weighing or measuring devices for the purpose of buying or selling goods, wares or merchandise, for public weighing or for hire or reward, to bring them in to be tested, adjusted and sealed, excepting that pick clocks on looms in textile factories, required by section one hundred and fifty-six of chapter one hundred and forty-nine, shall be tested on the request of either an employer or an employee, or both, or, in any event, at the discretion of the director of consumer affairs and business regulation or his authorized representatives. Such sealers shall attend in one or more convenient places, and shall adjust, seal or condemn such devices in accordance with the results of their tests, and shall make a record thereof.
MA Gen L ch 98 § 42 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XV - Regulation of Trade|Chapter 98 - Weights and Measures|Section 42 - Failure to Comply With Notice; Sealing on Premises; Interference With Sealer; Penalty

Section 42. After giving said notice, said sealers shall go to the houses, stores, shops, vehicles, or other commercial premises, during normal business hours, of a person not complying therewith, and shall test and adjust, seal or condemn in accordance with the results of their tests, the weighing and measuring devices of such person; provided, however, that no such person shall use a weighing or measuring device without first having it tested and sealed; provided further, that devices for determining the measurement of leather bought, sold or offered for sale shall be tested at least semiannually; and provided, further, that when a vehicle tank used in the sale of commodities by liquid measure has once been sealed, it shall not be necessary to seal it again while it remains in the same condition as when first sealed. A person who neglects or refuses to exhibit his weighing or measuring device to a sealer or deputy, or who hinders, obstructs or in any way interferes with a sealer or deputy in the performance of duty, or violates any provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars for the first offense and a fine of not more than one thousand dollars for each subsequent offense, or shall be subject to a civil citation or order as provided in section 29A.
MA Gen L ch 98 § 43 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XV - Regulation of Trade|Chapter 98 - Weights and Measures|Section 43 - Testing of Weighing or Measuring Devices Registering Price

Section 43. A sealer or deputy shall test all weighing or measuring devices having a device for indicating or registering the price as well as the weight or measure of a commodity offered for sale as to the correctness of both weights or measures and values indicated by them.
MA Gen L ch 98 § 44 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XV - Regulation of Trade|Chapter 98 - Weights and Measures|Section 44 - Testing of Devices for Determining Measurement of Leather; Rules and Regulations

Section 44. Devices used for determining the measurement of leather bought, sold or offered for sale shall be tested as to the correctness of measures indicated by them by a sealer of the town where they are used, and the deputy director may make such rules and regulations as he deems necessary to insure the greatest possible accuracy in the use of said devices.