As previously discussed, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has filed legislation seeking to establish "an electronic registration and licensing system for recording, updating and communicating all purchasing information of “junk dealers” and “pawnbrokers”  and the Massachusetts Abandoned Property Registry (MAP).

Massachusetts SB 1828 was filed on 1/13/09. 

Section 1 of this very brief bill authorizes the Massachusetts Attorney General to establish a two-year pilot program to implement a  “Massachusetts Abandoned Property Registry” or MAP.  This registry requires all property owners, including lenders, trustees, and service companies, to register and maintain vacant and/or foreclosing properties located within Massachusetts.  The Attorney General is given the power to enforce MAP pilot program, and to establish rules governing its implementation and administration. The MAP pilot program must be be implemented (120) days after passage.  It will expire two years later.  There are no details regarding registration requirements, fees and penalties.

Sec 2 amends Section 18 ¾ of chapter 6A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2008 Official Edition to include;

(10) to develop and implement, in conjunction with the criminal history systems board and the department of public safety, an electronic registration and licensing system for recording, updating and communicating among criminal justice agencies of the executive office, the attorney general, municipal officials, municipal police departments, and district attorneys, all purchasing information of “junk dealers” and “pawnbrokers” deemed required by the secretary. 

To view the Bill in its entirety, please click here.  

About Safeguard
Safeguard Properties is the largest privately held field services company in the country. Located in Cleveland, Ohio and founded in 1990 by Robert Klein, Safeguard has grown from a regional preservation company with a few employees and a handful of contractors performing services in the Midwest, to a national company with over 500 employees. Safeguard is supported by a nationwide network of subcontractors able to perform any requested superintendence, preservation, and maintenance functions, as well as numerous ancillary services in the U.S., the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.