reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MA Gen L ch 258d § 8 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title IV - Certain Writs and Proceedings in Special Cases|Chapter 258d - Compensation for Certain Erroneous Felony Convictions|Section 8 - Limitation on Action

Section 8. A claim for compensation brought under this chapter shall be commenced within 3 years after either the grant of a pardon or the grant of judicial relief and satisfaction of other conditions described in subsection (B) of section 1. Any action by the commonwealth challenging or appealing the grant of such judicial relief shall toll the 3 year period. Every action brought pursuant to this chapter that is not commenced within the time required by this section is forever barred from consideration by the courts of the commonwealth.
MA Gen L ch 258d § 9 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title IV - Certain Writs and Proceedings in Special Cases|Chapter 258d - Compensation for Certain Erroneous Felony Convictions|Section 9 - Receipt of Chapter

Section 9. (A) A court granting judicial relief consistent with the criteria set forth in subclause (a) of clause (ii) of subsection (B) of section 1 shall provide a copy of this chapter to an individual seeking such relief at the time the criteria of said subclause (a) of said clause (ii) of said subsection (B) of said section 1 are satisfied. Such individual shall be required to acknowledge receipt of a copy of this chapter in writing on a form established by the chief justice of the trial court. This acknowledgement shall be entered on the docket by the court and shall be admissible in any proceeding filed by a claimant under this chapter.  (B) The parole board, upon the issuance of a full pardon under section 152 of chapter 127, shall provide a copy of this chapter to an individual granted clemency at the time warrants necessary to grant the pardon are issued. Such individual shall be required to acknowledge receipt of a copy of this chapter in writing on a form established by the parole board, which shall be retained on file by the parole board as part of its official records and shall be admissible in any proceeding filed by a claimant under this chapter.
MA Gen L ch 258e § 1 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title IV - Certain Writs and Proceedings in Special Cases|Chapter 258e - Harassment Prevention Orders|Section 1 - Definitions

Section 1. As used in this chapter the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:-  ''Abuse'', attempting to cause or causing physical harm to another or placing another in fear of imminent serious physical harm.  ''Harassment'', (i) 3 or more acts of willful and malicious conduct aimed at a specific person committed with the intent to cause fear, intimidation, abuse or damage to property and that does in fact cause fear, intimidation, abuse or damage to property; or (ii) an act that: (A) by force, threat or duress causes another to involuntarily engage in sexual relations; or (B) constitutes a violation of section 13B, 13F, 13H, 22, 22A, 23, 24, 24B, 26C, 43 or 43A of chapter 265 or section 3 of chapter 272.  ''Court'', the district or Boston municipal court, the superior court or the juvenile court departments of the trial court.  ''Law officer'', any officer authorized to serve criminal process.  ''Malicious'', characterized by cruelty, hostility or revenge.  ''Protection order issued by another jurisdiction'', an injunction or other order issued by a court of another state, territory or possession of the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia, or a tribal court that is issued for the purpose of preventing violent or threatening acts, abuse or harassment against, or contact or communication with or physical proximity to another person, including temporary and final orders issued by civil and criminal courts filed by or on behalf of a person seeking protection.
MA Gen L ch 258e § 2 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title IV - Certain Writs and Proceedings in Special Cases|Chapter 258e - Harassment Prevention Orders|Section 2 - Jurisdiction

Section 2. Proceedings under this chapter shall be filed, heard and determined in the superior court department or the respective divisions of the district court department or the Boston municipal court department having venue over the plaintiff's residence. The juvenile court department shall have exclusive jurisdiction of proceedings under this chapter in which the defendant is under the age of 18. Such proceedings shall be filed, heard and determined in the division of the juvenile court department having venue over the plaintiff's residence.
MA Gen L ch 258e § 4 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title IV - Certain Writs and Proceedings in Special Cases|Chapter 258e - Harassment Prevention Orders|Section 4 - Notice of Nature of Proceedings and Availability of Other Criminal Proceedings

Section 4. Upon the filing of a complaint under this chapter, a complainant shall be informed that the proceedings hereunder are civil in nature and that violations of orders issued hereunder are criminal in nature. Further, a complainant shall be given information prepared by the appropriate district attorney's office that other criminal proceedings may be available and such complainant shall be instructed by such district attorney's office relative to the procedures required to initiate criminal proceedings including, but not limited to, a complaint for a violation of section 13B, 13F, 13H, 22, 22A, 23, 24, 24B, 26C, 43 and 43A of chapter 265 or section 3 of chapter 272. Whenever possible, a complainant shall be provided with such information in the complainant's native language.
MA Gen L ch 258e § 5 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title IV - Certain Writs and Proceedings in Special Cases|Chapter 258e - Harassment Prevention Orders|Section 5 - Temporary Orders

Section 5. Upon the filing of a complaint under this chapter, the court may enter such temporary orders as it deems necessary to protect a plaintiff from harassment, including relief as provided in section 3.  If the plaintiff demonstrates a substantial likelihood of immediate danger of harassment, the court may enter such temporary relief orders without notice as it deems necessary to protect the plaintiff from harassment and shall immediately thereafter notify the defendant that the temporary orders have been issued. The court shall give the defendant an opportunity to be heard on the question of continuing the temporary order and of granting other relief as requested by the plaintiff not later than 10 court business days after such orders are entered.  Notice shall be made by the appropriate law enforcement agency as provided in section 9.  If the defendant does not appear at such subsequent hearing, the temporary orders shall continue in effect without further order of the court.
MA Gen L ch 258e § 6 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title IV - Certain Writs and Proceedings in Special Cases|Chapter 258e - Harassment Prevention Orders|Section 6 - Granting of Relief Without the Filing of a Complaint

Section 6. When the court is closed for business or the plaintiff is unable to appear in court because of severe hardship due to the plaintiff's physical condition, the court may grant relief to the plaintiff as provided under section 5 if the plaintiff demonstrates a substantial likelihood of immediate danger of harassment. In the discretion of the justice, such relief may be granted and communicated by telephone to an officer or employee of an appropriate law enforcement agency, who shall record such order on a form of order promulgated for such use by the chief justice of the trial court and shall deliver a copy of such order on the next court day to the clerk or clerk-magistrate of the court having venue and jurisdiction over the matter. If relief has been granted without the filing of a complaint pursuant to this section, the plaintiff shall appear in court on the next available business day to file a complaint. If the plaintiff in such a case is unable to appear in court without severe hardship due to the plaintiff's physical condition, a representative may appear in court, on the plaintiff's behalf and file the requisite complaint with an affidavit setting forth the circumstances preventing the plaintiff from appearing personally. Notice to the plaintiff and defendant and an opportunity for the defendant to be heard shall be given as provided in said section 5.  Any order issued under this section and any documentation in support thereof shall be certified on the next court day by the clerk or clerk-magistrate of the court issuing such order to the court having venue and jurisdiction over the matter. Such certification to the court shall have the effect of commencing proceedings under this chapter and invoking the other provisions of this chapter but shall not be deemed necessary for an emergency order issued under this section to take effect.
MA Gen L ch 258e § 7 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title IV - Certain Writs and Proceedings in Special Cases|Chapter 258e - Harassment Prevention Orders|Section 7 - Enforcement of Protection Order Issued by Another Jurisdiction

Section 7. Any protection order issued by another jurisdiction shall be given full faith and credit throughout the commonwealth and enforced as if it were issued in the commonwealth for as long as the order is in effect in the issuing jurisdiction.  A person entitled to protection under a protection order issued by another jurisdiction may file such order with the appropriate court by filing with the court a certified copy of such order. Such person shall swear under oath in an affidavit, to the best of such person's knowledge, that such order is presently in effect as written. Upon request by a law enforcement agency, the clerk or clerk-magistrate of such court shall provide a certified copy of the protection order issued by the other jurisdiction.  A law officer may presume the validity of, and enforce in accordance with section 8, a copy of a protection order issued by another jurisdiction which has been provided to the law officer by any source; provided, however, that the officer is also provided with a statement by the person protected by the order that such order remains in effect. Law officers may rely on such statement by the person protected by such order.
MA Gen L ch 258e § 11 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title IV - Certain Writs and Proceedings in Special Cases|Chapter 258e - Harassment Prevention Orders|Section 11 - Adoption of Suitable Form of Complaint

Section 11. The chief justice of the trial court shall adopt a form of complaint for use under this chapter which shall be in such form and language to permit a plaintiff to prepare and file such complaint pro se.
MA Gen L ch 258e § 12 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title IV - Certain Writs and Proceedings in Special Cases|Chapter 258e - Harassment Prevention Orders|Section 12 - Assessment Against Persons Referred to a Treatment Program as Condition of Probation

Section 12. The court shall impose an assessment of $350 against any person who has been referred to a treatment program as a condition of probation. Such assessment shall be in addition to the cost of the treatment program. In the discretion of the court, such assessment may be reduced or waived if the court finds that such person is indigent or that payment of the assessment would cause the person, or the dependents of such person, severe financial hardship. Assessments made pursuant to this section shall be in addition to any other fines, assessments or restitution imposed in any disposition. All funds collected by the court pursuant to this section shall be transmitted monthly to the state treasurer, who shall deposit such funds into the General Fund.
MA Gen L ch 258f § 1 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title IV - Certain Writs and Proceedings in Special Cases|Chapter 258f - Certification for Victims of Violent Crime and Human Trafficking|Section 1 - 1. Definitions

[ Text of section added by 2021, 24, Sec. 65 effective July 1, 2021. See 2021, 24, Sec. 149.]  Section 1. As used in this chapter, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:  "Certifying entity'', a law enforcement agency, prosecutor or other state or local entity that has the authority to detect, investigate or prosecute severe forms of trafficking in persons or criminal activity.  "Criminal activity'', as described in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(U)(iii).  "Severe forms of trafficking in persons'', as defined in 22 U.S.C. 7102.
MA Gen L ch 258f § 2 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title IV - Certain Writs and Proceedings in Special Cases|Chapter 258f - Certification for Victims of Violent Crime and Human Trafficking|Section 2 - Completing and Signing Nonimmigrant Status Certification Forms

[ Text of section added by 2021, 24, Sec. 65 effective July 1, 2021. See 2021, 24, Sec. 149.]  Section 2. A certifying entity shall adopt a policy for completing and signing nonimmigrant status certification forms for: (i) victims of criminal activity who intend to petition for nonimmigrant visas under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(U); and (ii) victims of severe forms of trafficking in persons who intend to petition for nonimmigrant visas under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(T).
MA Gen L ch 258f § 3 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title IV - Certain Writs and Proceedings in Special Cases|Chapter 258f - Certification for Victims of Violent Crime and Human Trafficking|Section 3 - Certifying Entity's Response to Certification Request

[ Text of section added by 2021, 24, Sec. 65 effective July 1, 2021. See 2021, 24, Sec. 149.]  Section 3. A certifying entity shall respond to a nonimmigrant status certification request from a victim of criminal activity who intends to petition for a nonimmigrant visa under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(U) or from a victim of severe forms of trafficking in persons who intends to petition for a nonimmigrant visa under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(T) not later than 90 days after receiving the request for certification. The certifying entity shall respond to the request by: (i) completing and signing the certification forms; (ii) issuing a written denial of the request, without prejudice, informing the victim of the reason that the request does not meet the requirements of the certifying entity's policy under section 2; or (iii) in extenuating circumstances outside the control of the certifying entity that prevent the certifying entity from responding to the certification request in the required time period, issuing a written explanation of the delay, the process the certifying entity will undertake to respond and a projected time frame for such response.
MA Gen L ch 258f § 4 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title IV - Certain Writs and Proceedings in Special Cases|Chapter 258f - Certification for Victims of Violent Crime and Human Trafficking|Section 4 - Report to Executive Office of Public Safety and Security

[ Text of section added by 2021, 24, Sec. 65 effective July 1, 2021. See 2021, 24, Sec. 149.]  Section 4. (a) Annually, not later than February 1, each certifying entity shall report to the executive office of public safety and security: (i) the number of individuals that requested nonimmigrant status certification; (ii) the number of certification forms that were completed and signed; and (iii) the number of such requests that were denied. The information reported under this subsection shall not include any personal identifying information of an individual requesting nonimmigrant status certification.  (b) Annually, not later than April 1, the executive office of public safety and security shall file a report with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate, the joint committee on the judiciary and the joint committee on public safety and homeland security on the information received under subsection (a). The report shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the number of individuals that requested nonimmigrant status certification, delineated by certifying entity; (ii) the number of certification forms that were completed and signed, delineated by certifying entity; (iii) the number of such requests that were denied, delineated by certifying entity; and (iv) total statewide statistics on nonimmigrant status certifications and denials. The report shall not include information that would allow the public to ascertain the identity of an individual requesting nonimmigrant status certification. The executive office shall also make the report publicly available on its website.
MA Gen L ch 259 § 1 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title V - Statutes of Frauds and Limitations|Chapter 259 - Prevention of Frauds and Perjuries|Section 1 - Actionable Contracts; Necessity of Writing

Section 1. No action shall be brought:  First, To charge an executor or administrator, or an assignee under an insolvent law of the commonwealth, upon a special promise to answer damages out of his own estate;  Second, To charge a person upon a special promise to answer for the debt, default or misdoings of another;  Third, Upon an agreement made upon consideration of marriage;  Fourth, Upon a contract for the sale of lands, tenements or hereditaments or of any interest in or concerning them; or,  Fifth, Upon an agreement that is not to be performed within one year from the making thereof;  Unless the promise, contract or agreement upon which such action is brought, or some memorandum or note thereof, is in writing and signed by the party to be charged therewith or by some person thereunto by him lawfully authorized.
MA Gen L ch 259 § 2 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title V - Statutes of Frauds and Limitations|Chapter 259 - Prevention of Frauds and Perjuries|Section 2 - Consideration

Section 2. The consideration of such promise, contract or agreement need not be set forth or expressed in the writing signed by the party to be charged therewith, but may be proved by any legal evidence.
MA Gen L ch 259 § 3 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title V - Statutes of Frauds and Limitations|Chapter 259 - Prevention of Frauds and Perjuries|Section 3 - Insolvent Debtor; New Promise; Necessity of Writing

Section 3. No promise for the payment of a debt, made by an insolvent debtor who has obtained his discharge from such debt under proceedings in bankruptcy or insolvency, shall be evidence of a new or continuing contract whereby to deprive the debtor of the benefit of relying upon such discharge in bar of the recovery of a judgment upon such debt, unless such promise is made by or contained in some writing signed by him, or by some person thereunto by him lawfully authorized.
MA Gen L ch 259 § 4 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title V - Statutes of Frauds and Limitations|Chapter 259 - Prevention of Frauds and Perjuries|Section 4 - Representation as to Another's Credit; Necessity of Writing

Section 4. No action shall be brought to charge a person upon or by reason of a representation or assurance made concerning the character, conduct, credit, ability, trade or dealings of any other person, unless such representation or assurance is made in writing and signed by the party to be charged thereby, or by some person thereunto by him lawfully authorized.
MA Gen L ch 259 § 7 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title V - Statutes of Frauds and Limitations|Chapter 259 - Prevention of Frauds and Perjuries|Section 7 - Agreements to Pay Compensation for Service as a Broker or Finder; Necessity of Writing

Section 7. Any agreement to pay compensation for service as a broker or finder or for service rendered in negotiating a loan or in negotiating the purchase, sale or exchange of a business, its good will, inventory, fixtures, or an interest therein, including a majority of voting interest in a corporation, shall be void and unenforceable unless such agreement is in writing, signed by the party to be charged therewith, or by some other person authorized. For the purpose of this section, the term ''negotiating'' shall include identifying prospective parties, providing information concerning prospective parties, procuring an introduction to a party to the transaction or assisting in the negotiation or consummation of the transaction. The provisions of this section shall apply to a contract implied in fact or in law to pay reasonable compensation but shall not apply to a contract to pay compensation for professional services of an attorney-at-law or a licensed real estate broker or real estate salesman acting in their professional capacity.
MA Gen L ch 260 § 1 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title V - Statutes of Frauds and Limitations|Chapter 260 - Limitation of Actions|Section 1 - Actions Requiring Commencement Within Twenty Years

Section 1. The following actions shall be commenced only within twenty years next after the cause of action accrues:  First, Actions upon contracts under seal.  Second, Actions upon bills, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued by a bank.  Third, Actions upon promissory notes signed in the presence of an attesting witness, if brought by the original payee or by his executor or administrator.  Fourth, Actions upon contracts not limited by the following section or by any other law.  Fifth, Actions under section thirty-two of chapter one hundred and twenty-three to recover for the support of inmates in state institutions.
MA Gen L ch 260 § 2 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title V - Statutes of Frauds and Limitations|Chapter 260 - Limitation of Actions|Section 2 - Contract Actions; Actions Upon Judgments or Decrees of Courts of Record

Section 2. Actions of contract, other than those to recover for personal injuries, founded upon contracts or liabilities, express or implied, except actions limited by section one or actions upon judgments or decrees of courts of record of the United States or of this or of any other state of the United States, shall, except as otherwise provided, be commenced only within six years next after the cause of action accrues.
MA Gen L ch 260 § 2a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title V - Statutes of Frauds and Limitations|Chapter 260 - Limitation of Actions|Section 2a - Tort, Contract to Recover for Personal Injuries, and Replevin Actions

Section 2A. Except as otherwise provided, actions of tort, actions of contract to recover for personal injuries, and actions of replevin, shall be commenced only within three years next after the cause of action accrues.