HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1644        FILED ON: 1/18/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 288

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Ann-Margaret Ferrante

_________________

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 partial payment.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Ann-Margaret Ferrante

5th Essex

1/18/2023


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1644        FILED ON: 1/18/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 288

By Representative Ferrante of Gloucester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 288) of Ann-Margaret Ferrante for legislation to further regulate residential contracting agreements.  Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

 

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 360 OF 2021-2022.]

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

_______________

 

An Act relative to partial payment.

 

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 2 of chapter 142A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out clause (6), and inserting in place thereof the following:-

(6) a time schedule of payments to be made under said contract and the amount of each payment stated in dollars, including all finance charges. Any deposit required under the contract to be paid in advance of the commencement of work under said contract shall not exceed the greater of one-third of the total contract price or the actual cost of any materials or equipment of a special order or custom made nature, which must be ordered in advance of the commencement of work, in order to assure that the project will proceed on schedule. No final payment shall be demanded until the contract is completed to the satisfaction of the parties thereto; provided, however, the provisions of this clause (6), except for the first sentence, shall not apply to contractors furnishing a performance and payment bond, lien or completion bond, or a bond equivalent approved by the director of consumer affairs and business regulation covering a minimum of two million dollars;

SECTION 2. Said section 2 of chapter 142A, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by adding at the end thereof the following:-

Any violation of this section shall constitute an unfair method of competition or unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of chapter 93A.