SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1866        FILED ON: 1/20/2017

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 152

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Richard J. Ross

_________________

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 prohibiting certain termination and cancellation fees.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Richard J. Ross

Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex

 

Steven S. Howitt

4th Bristol

1/24/2017

Elizabeth A. Poirier

14th Bristol

1/26/2017

Keiko M. Orrall

12th Bristol

1/31/2017

Ryan C. Fattman

Worcester and Norfolk

2/2/2017

Bruce E. Tarr

First Essex and Middlesex

2/14/2017


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1866        FILED ON: 1/20/2017

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 152

By Mr. Ross, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 152) of Richard J. Ross, Steven S. Howitt, Elizabeth A. Poirier, Keiko M. Orrall and other members of the General Court for legislation to prohibit certain termination and cancellation fees.  Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

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

_______________

 

An Act prohibiting certain termination and cancellation fees.

 

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. Chapter 25C of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting at the end thereof the following new section:-

Section 9. (a) Subject to federal law and regulation, no provider of telephone, cellular telephone, television, internet, energy, or water services shall impose a fee for termination or early cancellation of a service contract in the event the customer has deceased before the end of such contract.

(b) Every violation of this section shall be punishable by a civil penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect immediately.