SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2023 FILED ON: 1/16/2009
SENATE .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 126
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Harriette
L. Chandler (BY REQUEST)
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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 passage of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to consumer issues.
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PETI
TION OF:
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Name:
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District/Address:
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Harvey Green
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25 Westland Street
Worcester, MA 01602
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[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. S00176 OF 2007-2008.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the Year Two Thousand and Nine
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An Act relative to consumer issues.
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 266 of the General Laws is hereby amended by
inserting after Chapter 266: Section 75C, the following text:-
“Section 75D. Regardless of whether or not merchandise is purchased
by any form of payment
all returns made between 14 days and 30 days of the original purchase with a receipt, the option of ca
sh or applied store credit will be determined by the purchaser. Returns shall be accepted for at least 30 days.
Section 75E.
Merchandi
s
e returned to a store purchased
by any form of payment
after 30 days but no longer than 90 days of the original purcha
se shall always be refunded with cash.”
SECTION 2.
Chapter 64H of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after Section 2 the following new text:-
When a return of property is made to a store with a receipt, the purchaser shall be entitled to a tax
refund of the full amount paid at the time of purchase within 30 but no longer than 90 days of sale.
Section 4.
When a return of property is made to a store without a receipt, the purchaser shall be entitled to only as much tax refund as would be offered
on the item at the lowest price within 90 days of return.
Section 5.
All sales tax must be returned in cash.
SECTION 3.
Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, nothing for sale in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be offered at a fraction of one ce
nt.
SECTION 4.
A
ll gift certificates and gift cards will retain the original value except for deduction occurring due to purchases using the card
or certificate
by the holder of the card.
SECTION 5.
No business offering goods or services shall charge an e
xtra fee to consumers for payment by check.
Section 6.
No bills or invoices written or received in Massachusetts can have a payment due date on
a
Saturday, Sunday, or holiday. Consumer bills or invoices are due no earlier than 30 days after receipt. Elec
tronic billing or invoicing can only be done with the consent of the purchaser by a written signature. No penalty can be assessed to a purchaser that does not consent to electronic billing.
