HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3145        FILED ON: 1/14/2009

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3677

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act to Clarify the Terms of Motor Vehicle Liability Bonds and Policies..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Section 34A of chapter 90 of the General Laws as appearing in the 2006 Official Editions is hereby amended by inserting in line 173, at the end of the definition of “motor vehicle liability bond,” the following sentence:- 

In any claim for damages against the obligor under said bond shall provide a defense and such duty to defend may not be terminated without a release by the claimant.

SECTION 2.Said section 34A of said chapter 90, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting, in line 220, at the end of the definition of “motor vehicle liability policy” the following sentence:- 

In any claim for damages against the insured or against any person responsible for the operation of the insured’s motor vehicle, the insurer under said policy shall provide a defense, and such duty to defend and may not be terminated without release by the claimant.