HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3397        FILED ON: 1/18/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1271

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Thomas P. Conroy

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to the disposition of class action residual funds.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3397        FILED ON: 1/18/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1271

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 1290 OF 2011-2012.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen

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An Act relative to the disposition of class action residual funds.

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

Chapter 200A of the General Laws, is hereby amended by inserting after section 16 the following section:-

Section 16A.  As used in this section the following terms shall have the following meanings:-

“Class” all of the class members in a class action.

“Class action” any civil action subject to rule 23 of the Massachusetts rules of civil procedure.  Class action shall also include a de facto class action.

“Class members” the persons (named or unnamed) who fall within the definition of the proposed or certified class in a class action.

“De facto class action” an action that has not been certified by the court but includes identical consideration as provided in the Massachusetts rules of civil procedure rule 23 such as common questions of law or fact, claims or defenses of the representative parties are typical of the claims or defenses of nonparties and, as a practical matter, the disposition of the interest of the class or other members not parties to the adjudications would substantially impair or impede their ability to protect their interest.

“Judgment” a judgment in favor of any plaintiff in a class action that results in the creation of a common fund for the benefit of the class.

“Person” shall include, where applicable, natural persons, corporations, trusts, partnerships, incorporated or unincorporated associations, and any other legal entity.

“Proposed settlement” an agreement regarding a class action that is subject to court approval and that, if approved, would be binding on some or all class members.

“Residual funds” all unclaimed funds or other property, including uncashed checks or other unclaimed payments, that remain in a common fund created in a class action after court-approved payments are made for the following:-

(i)Class member claims;

(ii)Attorney’s fees and costs;

Residual funds shall also include any intangible property payable or distributable to a member of or participant in a class action, either one allowed by the court to be maintained as such or 1 essentially handed as a class action and remaining unclaimed for more than 6 months after the time for the final payment or distribution.

“Settlement” an order approving a proposal settlement of a class action that results in the creation of a common fund.

Residual funds shall be deemed abandoned property, unless the apparent owner has claimed in writing an interest in any of the residual funds in the form and manner and within the time directed by the court.

Prior to the entry of any judgment or order approving a settlement under rule 23 of the rules of civil procedure, the court shall determine the total amount that will be payable to all class members, if all class members are paid the amount to which they are entitled pursuant to the judgment or settlement.  The court shall also set a date when the parties shall report to the court the total amount actually y paid to class members.  After the report is received, the court, unless it orders otherwise consistent with rule 23 of the rules of civil procedure, shall direct the defendant to pay the residual funds to the treasurer of the commonwealth for deposit in the General Fund.

If residual funds are abandoned under this section, they shall escheat and vest absolutely in the commonwealth.

The attorney general shall investigate violations of this section.  If the attorney general finds a violation of this section, he shall bring a civil action in the superior court to recover funds due to the commonwealth.