HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3068        FILED ON: 1/18/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 348

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Theodore C. Speliotis

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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 resolve:

Resolve creating a special commission to protect residents from telephone and electronic fraud.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Theodore C. Speliotis

13th Essex

1/10/2019

Christine P. Barber

34th Middlesex

1/25/2019

Jennifer E. Benson

37th Middlesex

1/31/2019

Mindy Domb

3rd Hampshire

1/31/2019

David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf

17th Worcester

2/1/2019

Jack Patrick Lewis

7th Middlesex

2/1/2019


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3068        FILED ON: 1/18/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 348

By Mr. Speliotis of Danvers, a petition (accompanied by resolve, House, No. 348) of Theodore C. Speliotis and others for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the General Court) for the purpose of studying the issue of telephone and internet scams targeting elderly residents of the Commonwealth.  Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

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Resolve creating a special commission to protect residents from telephone and electronic fraud.

 

Resolved, There shall be a special commission consisting of 13 members for the purpose of studying the issue of telephone and internet scams targeting elderly residents of the Commonwealth.   The commission shall consist of the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on consumer protection and professional licensure who shall serve as co-chairs; the speaker of the house of representatives or a designee; the president of the senate or a designee; the house minority leader or a designee, the senate minority leader or a designee; the undersecretary of the executive office of consumer affairs and business regulation or a designee; the secretary of elder affairs or a designee; the president of the Massachusetts chiefs of police association or a designee; the president of the district attorneys association or a designee, the president of the Massachusetts retailers association or a designee, 1 member shall be appointed by the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council; and 1 member shall be appointed by the Massachusetts Chapter of AARP.  The commission shall explore the reasons why elders are targeted by scammers and identify methods and techniques to protect elders from falling prey to scam tactics.  Due diligence by the commission shall include but not be limited to studying and making recommendations on the following prevention methods: a master registry of gift cards, a final check at retail sale of gift cards, a public education and awareness campaign, the use of technology to prevent such crimes.

The commission shall present to the executive office of elder affairs and the general court its findings its recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry its recommendations into effect by filing them with the clerk of the house of representatives and the clerk of the senate, who shall forward the same to the joint committee on consumer protection and professional licensure and the house and senate committees on ways and means on or before June 30, 2020.  The commission’s role shall be advisory in nature, and its recommendations, decisions, and actions shall not be binding on the executive branch or the legislative branch.  Upon acceptance of their report, the special commission shall be dissolved.