

On behalf of the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR), see below communication:
Resources for Constituents Given the Recent Storms and Catastrophic Flash Flooding that have Impacted Areas Throughout the Commonwealth.
The mission of OCABR is to protect and empower consumers through education and advocacy. Our office oversees the state’s Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) program as well as several consumer
divisions, including the Division of Insurance.
It’s our hope that your constituents will not find themselves in situations where they will need to access these resources; however, OCABR would like to ensure that your offices are aware of them in case they do. Links below to some of our resources that may help and inform constituents should they need to navigate insurance claims and property repairs following a severe flood or storm.
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Division of Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions Following a Disaster: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/frequently-asked-questions-following-a-disaster
Guide to Disaster and Emergency Insurance Preparations: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/guide-to-disaster-and-emergency-insurance-preparations
Is My Flood Damage Covered? https://www.mass.gov/info-details/is-my-flood-damage-covered
Division of Insurance Hotline: (617) 521-7794, (8:45am – 5:00pm)
Home Repairs & Contractors
For most home repairs, contractors are required to be registered Home Improvement Contractors. It’s critical that homeowners look up a contractor’s registration and any complaints filed against
their license before hiring them. In the event something goes wrong, and the homeowner needs to seek relief from the State’s Guaranty Fund, HIC registration is required.
Homeowner's guide to hiring a home improvement contractor: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/homeowners-guide-to-hiring-a-home-improvement-contractor
Check a contractor's registration: HIC Registration
Lookup https://services.oca.state.ma.us/hic/licenseelist.aspx
OCABR Hotline: (617) 973-8787 (9:00am - 4:30pm)
Auto Repairs
Recognizing that some vehicles may become submerged during a flash flooding emergency and constituents may need to seek repairs, the following is a link to help them select a reliable repair shop and understand their rights:
Massachusetts Consumer Guide – Mechanics of Auto Repair https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-consumer-guide-mechanics-of-auto-repair
Tune in to WCVB Channel 5 Boston & NBC10 Boston π’ TONIGHT, Wednesday, 10/4 Catch my interviews with WCVB’s Sharman Sacchetti and NBC10’s Matt Prichard on the final Tax Relief Bill signed into law today by Governor Healy. #NBC10 #mattprichard #Taxes #taxrelief #wcvb #channel5 #statesenatorbrucetarr![]()
“Citizenship
is an attitude, a state of mind, an emotional conviction that the whole is
greater than the part…” - Robert A.
Heinlein
Friday,
September 22nd, 2023, was an inspirational and moving day at
Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, as 97 people became U.S. citizens at a
special naturalization ceremony. The historic occasion took place in
front of Tablet Rock beneath sunny skies and beside the location where early
settlers established the first vestiges of Gloucester's fishing industry.
Congratulations to those who persevered throughout the journey to
citizenship. Many thanks to the Gloucester 400+ Committee, its Tri-Chair,
Bruce Tobey, and all of those who brought this incredible ceremony to the
Gloucester community.
π’Tune in to WCVB Channel5 Boston & NBC10 Bostonπ’
TONIGHT, Wednesday, 10/4
Catch my interviews with WCVB’s Sharman Sacchetti and
NBC10’s Matt Prichard on the final Tax Relief Bill signed into law today by
Governor Healy.
#NBC10 #mattprichard #Taxes #taxrelief #wcvb #channel5
#statesenatorbrucetarr
I
was honored to join my legislative colleagues, members of the Massachusetts
National Guard, and local officials at a ceremony at North Andover Town Hall
organized by District Director of Veterans Services, Joseph Leblanc, for the
presentation of the Massachusetts Medal of Fidelity to the loved ones of 8
Veterans who served our nation in the armed forces and who have passed away.
This moving and important ceremony served as a powerful reminder of the
courage, sacrifice, and dedication to our nation of such veterans and their
families, and our solemn obligation to capture every opportunity to recognize
their service on our behalf and to thank them for all that they have given to
our country and the principles that we share.
The Medal of Fidelity was recently created to recognize service members or veterans from the Commonwealth who died as the result of combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or combat-related diseases and illnesses. To learn more, reach out to your local Veterans Service Officer or visit the Medal of Fidelity page at https://www.massnationalguard.org/index.php/quick-links/medal-of-fidelity.html.
Celebrated Salisbury Days by honoring SHINE Award
recipients. Tabitha Beebe was awarded
the ‘Here and Now’ award and Louis Masello was awarded the ‘Lifetime’ award for
being exceptional role models by participating in volunteer and humanitarian
activities that continue to make a difference in town of Salisbury and
surrounding towns in our community.