Massachusetts News

Mass. AG Coakley Heading to D.C. to Make Case for Health Care Law

Attorney General Martha Coakley is heading to Washington to make a legal case for the national health care law that was modeled after Massachusetts’ own landmark 2006 health care law. On Thursday Coakley will defend the constitutionality of the national …

Some in Massachusetts Eye Tougher Cellphone Restrictions for Motorists

Supporters of tougher laws against distracted driving said Wednesday they hoped the National Transportation Safety Board’s call for an outright ban on all non-emergency cellphone use by motorists would encourage Massachusetts to expand on a law that bars texting while …

Progressive to Pay $125K Fine in Massachusetts‎

The Massachusetts Division of Insurance announced a $125,000 financial settlement with Progressive Direct Insurance Company. Regulators said Progressive erroneously informed some Massachusetts consumers that they had used credit information to determine their auto insurance rate through its website. Regulators said …

Law Pushed After Study Shows Massachusetts Seat Belt Use Dropping

A coalition is pushing for a new seat belt enforcement law after a study showed that seat belt use in Massachusetts is among the lowest in the country. According to a University of Massachusetts study prepared for the state, seat …

Massachusetts Utility Regulators Probe October Storm Response

Massachusetts regulators are preparing to hold public hearings in Springfield and East Longmeadow as they investigate how utility companies responded to the October snowstorm that knocked out power to thousands for days. The Department of Public Utilities hearings are scheduled …

Massachusetts Sues Banks Over Foreclosures

Massachusetts sued five major banks Thursday over deceptive foreclosure practices such as the “robo-signing” of documents, potentially undermining negotiations between lenders and state prosecutors across the nation over the same issue. The lawsuit named Bank of America Corp., JPMorgan Chase …

Massachusetts Enacts Law on Credit Ban for Auto Insurance

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed into law a bill that bans the use of credit in underwriting and rating private passenger motor vehicle insurance in his state. The law, Chapter 195 of the Acts of 2011, was signed by the …

Massachusetts ‘Alarm Fatigue’ Lawsuit Settled

The family of an 89-year-old man who died at Massachusetts General Hospital when nurses did not respond to alarms on his cardiac monitor has settled its case against the hospital for $850,000. The Boston Globe reported on Monday that the …

Massachusetts Lawmakers Weigh Changes to Motorcycle Laws

Massachusetts lawmakers are weighing changes to the state’s motorcycle laws, including bills designed to ease the requirement that riders wear helmets. Current law requires all riders and passengers to wear protective head gear, except those participating in parades. One proposed …

Mass. AG Wants to Put Brakes on ‘Excessive’ Homeowners Insurance Rate

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is urging the State Rating Board to hold a hearing to scrutinize the data insurers use to set homeowners insurance rates in her state. The Attorney General’s office says it is estimating possible overcharges of …