Section 4A. Credit counseling services as used in this chapter shall mean (a) the providing of financial and budgetary advice and judgment to individuals in connection with the creation of a budgetary plan; or (b) the creation of a plan whereby an individual turns over an agreed amount of his income to a nonprofit credit counseling corporation which distributes it to his creditors in accordance with a plan which they have approved and which may provide for smaller payments or a longer term than the original contract; or (c) the providing of educational services relating to the use of credit; or (d) any combination of these.
No person, other than an attorney or a nonprofit charitable corporation organized under the provisions of this chapter, shall render those credit counseling services specified in clause (b). Each such corporation shall comply with the provisions of section eight F of chapter twelve.
Any such corporation formed for credit counseling purposes shall not engage in the practice of law. If it appears that an individual receiving credit counseling services needs legal advice or counsel, he shall be referred to an attorney of his own choice, the local bar association referral service, or a local legal aid program, whichever course may seem most appropriate.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Chapter 180 - Corporations for Charitable and Certain Other Purposes
Section 1 - Application of Chapter
Section 3a - Correction of Inaccurate Corporate Records; Filing
Section 4a - Credit Counseling Services; Practice of Law
Section 6 - Corporate Powers; Religious Corporations; Indemnification of Officers, Et Al.
Section 6a - By-Laws; Contents
Section 6c - Directors, Officers or Incorporators; Good Faith Performance of Duties; Liability
Section 6d - Filing Certificate of Change Regarding Powers of Directors, Etc.
Section 9 - Evidence of Corporate Existence
Section 10 - Consolidation and Merger; Agreement; Submission of Articles; Filing Copy of Articles
Section 10b - Consolidation and Merger; Effect; Amendments
Section 10c - Application of Laws; Exception
Section 11 - Dissolution; Non-Charitable Corporation
Section 11a - Dissolution; Voluntary; Charitable Corporation
Section 15 - Trade or Employment Organizations
Section 16 - Approval of Certificate of Organization
Section 17d - School Teachers; Payroll Deductions for Income Protection Insurance Premiums
Section 17h - Public Employees; Payroll Deductions for Periodic Pass for Public Transportation
Section 17i - Payroll Deductions for Public School Teachers
Section 17j - Public Employees; Payroll Deductions for Insurance or Employee Benefits
Section 17l - Public Employee; Payroll Deductions for Qualified State Tuition Program
Section 18 - Expulsion of Member; Examination of Books by Member
Section 19 - Fines Imposed on Members by Unions
Section 20 - Medical Milk Commission; Formation; Definition
Section 21 - Medical Milk Commission; Naming and Designation of Town Where Established
Section 22 - Salary, Emolument or Other Compensation Received by Member From Dairymen Prohibited
Section 23 - Contracts for Production of Milk
Section 24 - Investigatory Powers of Department of Public Health
Section 25 - Violations; Penalty
Section 26 - Change of Location by Certain Corporations
Section 26a - Annual Statements; Required Information; Certification; Fee; Violations; Penalties
Section 26b - Corporation in Good Standing; Certificate
Section 27 - Conviction Under Liquor or Gambling Laws; Voiding Charter
Section 28 - Conviction of Conducting Illegal Match; Voiding of Charter of Club or Organization
Section 29 - Local Regulation of Entertainments, Dances, Etc.