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AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS — Contractor Registration Board
S-2866 Tassoni
H- 7351 Kennedy

This bill would provide three major changes to the law regarding the registration of contractors. This legislation would establish the following: (1) the implementation of licensing, (2) a surety bond requirement and (3) the creation of a guaranty fund.

AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS — Mortgage Foreclosure Consultant Regulation
S- 2777 Metts
H- 7650 Diaz

This legislation is directed at foreclosure specialists, who often seize the ownership interest in the real estate of the consumer, without the express consent of the owner. This bill provides the definition of foreclosure consultants and foreclosure property purchasers, and moreover by its definition, excludes in plain language entities that are not foreclose consultants or property purchasers. (i.e., licensed real estate brokers engages in acts which requires licensure). Additionally, the bill sets out contract requirements that must be used in every contract entered into by foreclosure consultants and property purchasers. Lastly, the bill gives the consumer a three day right to rescission in contracts entered into with foreclosure consultants and a five day right of rescission in contracts entered into with foreclosure property purchasers.

AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS — Rescission of Dating Services
S- 2880 McCaffrey
H- 7644 Naughton

This bill would establish a three-day rescission period for consumers that entered into contracts with social referral agencies. In this instance, social referral service is defined as dating, matrimonial or personal referral services that either provide an exchange of personal information, photograph or video selection, personal introductions at the social referral service or a social environment sponsored by the service.

AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW — DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES - Deceptive Trade Practices
S- 2348 Levesque
H- 7398 Lima

This act would allow the attorney general to take legal action under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act for actions or transactions not permitted or formally authorized by other state agencies or agencies of the United States.

AN ACT RELATING TO GOVERNMENTAL TORT LIABILITY Governmental Tort Liability
S- 2175 Connors
H- 6994 Rice

This act would require that in actions involving the State of Rhode Island, where insurance companies cover state employees involved with litigation, the company will be required to stay in the action as a party along with the state. Any applicable insurance coverage would remain in the case to defend and indemnify.