HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 496        FILED ON: 1/13/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 185

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Elizabeth A. Poirier

_________________

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 providing security to consumers for purchases from certain vendors.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Elizabeth A. Poirier

14th Bristol

1/13/2017

Mathew Muratore

1st Plymouth

1/17/2017

Paul Tucker

7th Essex

1/30/2017


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 496        FILED ON: 1/13/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 185

By Mrs. Poirier of North Attleborough, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 185) of Elizabeth A. Poirier, Mathew Muratore and Paul Tucker relative to providing consumers with protections from vendors providing retail sales or services in spaces other than fixed building sites.  Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

 

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 251 OF 2015-2016.]

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)

_______________

 

An Act providing security to consumers for purchases from certain vendors.

 

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

SECTION 1. Section 8 of chapter 64H of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is herby amended by adding the following subsection:-

(j) Every vendor providing retail sales or services in a booth, tent, table, kiosk, or other space that is not the vendor’s fixed building site, shall obtain a surety bond from a licensed insurance or surety company, guaranteeing repayment of a consumer’s purchase price in the event of a return by a consumer. The bond shall be written to provide surety for a period of 1 year from date of sublease or license issuance. Any landlord providing sublease space or a license to use any premises for such retail activity shall be provided a copy of said bond prior to issuing a sublease or license to use any portion of the premises for such activity and shall retain a copy of such bond for a period of one year following expiration of the bond. Any city or town authorizing the use of such non-fixed building site for retail sales or services shall be provided a copy of the above-described surety bond prior to issuing a vendor’s license and shall retain a copy for a period of one year following issuance Every vendor contemplated in this subsection shall display in a conspicuous site a copy of such bond. Every bond shall be written to guarantee a minimum return amount of up to $1000 for a single purchase. All other lawful rights and remedies shall remain available to any consumer affected by this subsection.