Section 5. There shall be established a Residential Contractor's Guaranty Fund within the office of consumer affairs and business regulation, to compensate owners for actual losses incurred by them as a result of registered contractor or subcontractor conduct which has been found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be work performed in a poor or unworkmanlike manner or which is a common law violation or a violation of any statute or regulation designed for the protection of consumers, including but not limited to, prohibited acts listed in section seventeen; provided, however, that the owner has exhausted all customary and reasonable efforts to collect the judgment but the contractor has filed for bankruptcy, fled the jurisdiction or the owner is otherwise unable to collect such judgment after execution. The director shall promulgate such regulations as he may deem necessary to implement the fund under this chapter. Prior to the adoption, amendment or repeal of any regulation, the director shall give notice and hold a public hearing in accordance with the requirements of chapter thirty A. The fund administrator shall be responsible for implementing the provisions of this chapter and such regulations as the director may promulgate as they relate to the fund.
For purposes of recovery against the fund, the conduct of a registered contractor or subcontractor shall be deemed to include the conduct of his employees, salespersons and subcontractors, whether or not an express relationship exists, provided the work or activities of such individuals is within the scope of the contract and not for additional work beyond the contract which such individuals undertake by separate agreement with the owner.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order
Chapter 142a - Regulation of Home Improvement Contractors
Section 2 - Residential Contracting Agreements; Requirements
Section 3 - Civil Actions; Private Arbitration Program
Section 4 - Arbitration; Appeals
Section 5 - Residential Contractor's Guaranty Fund; Regulations
Section 6 - Operation of Fund; Deposits; Interest; Use of Funds
Section 7 - Claims Against Fund; Award Limitations
Section 9 - Registration of Contractors or Subcontractors
Section 10 - Registration Applications; Required Information
Section 11 - Registration Fees
Section 12 - Denial of Registration Applications; Grounds; Requests for Reconsideration
Section 13 - Registration Records; Building Permits, Contracts and Advertisements
Section 14 - Exemption From Registration
Section 15 - Suspension or Revocation of Certificate of Registration
Section 16 - Promulgation of Rules and Regulations by Director
Section 17 - Contractors or Subcontractors; Prohibited Acts; Violations
Section 18 - Administrative Penalties for Violations of Chapter Provisions
Section 19 - Fines and Imprisonment
Section 20 - Continuing Violations; Injunctions; Restitution