Bill Text: MA H982 | 2009-2010 | 186th General Court | Introduced


Bill Title: Confidentiality of examination reports of the Division of Banks

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-03-03 - Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the House Committee On Ways and Means [H982 Detail]

Download: Massachusetts-2009-H982-Introduced.html

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Ronald Mariano

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
                Court assembled:

                The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the passage of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to confidentiality of examination reports of the division of banks .

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:


 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand and Nine

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An Act relative to confidentiality of examination reports of the division of banks .



                Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 97 of chapter 140 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2006 Official Edition,  is hereby amended by striking out the first paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following two paragraphs:—

            A licensee shall, when directed by the commissioner, permit the commissioner or his duly authorized representative to inspect its records and evidence of compliance with this chapter or any rule and regulation issued thereunder and with any other law, rule and regulation applicable to the conduct of its business.  The commissioner shall preserve a full record of each such examination of a licensee including a statement of its condition. All records of investigations and reports of examinations by the commissioner, including workpapers, information derived from such reports or responses to such reports, and any copies thereof in the possession of any licensee under the supervision of the commissioner, shall be confidential and privileged communications, shall not be subject to subpoena and shall not be a public record under clause twenty-sixth of section 7 of chapter 4. For the purpose of this paragraph, records of investigation and reports of examinations shall include records of investigation and reports of examinations conducted by a financial regulatory agency of the federal government and any other state, and of any foreign government which are considered confidential by such agency or foreign government and which are in possession of the commissioner. In any proceeding before a court, the court may issue a protective order to seal the record protecting the confidentiality of any such record, and other than any such record on file with the court or filed in connection with the court proceeding, and the court may exclude the public from any portion of a proceeding at which any such record may be disclosed.  Copies of such reports of examination shall be furnished to a licensee for its use only and shall not be exhibited to any other person, organization or agency without prior written approval by the commissioner. The commissioner may, in his discretion, furnish to regulatory agencies of the federal government, of other states, or of foreign countries, and any law enforcement agency, such information, reports, inspections and statements relating to the licensees under his supervision.

            The commissioner, or his examiners or such others of his assistants as he may designate, may summon the directors, officers or agents of a licensee, or any other witnesses, and examine them relative to the affairs, transactions and condition of the licensee, and, for that purpose, may administer oaths. Whoever, without justifiable cause, refuses to appear and testify when so required or obstructs the person making such examination in the performance of his duty, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year.

            SECTION 2. Section 2 of chapter 167 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the sixth paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:—

            The commissioner shall preserve a full record of each such examination of a bank including a statement of its condition. All records of investigations and reports of examinations by the commissioner, including workpapers, information derived from such reports or responses to such reports, and any copies thereof in the possession of any licensee under the supervision of the commissioner, shall be confidential and privileged communications, shall not be subject to subpoena and shall not be a public record under clause twenty-sixth of section 7 of chapter 4. For the purpose of this paragraph, records of investigation and reports of examinations shall include records of investigation and reports of examinations conducted by a financial regulatory agency of the federal government and any other state, and of any foreign government which are considered confidential by such agency or foreign government and which are in possession of the commissioner. In any proceeding before a court, the court may issue a protective order to seal the record protecting the confidentiality of any such record, other than any such record on file with the court or filed in connection with the court proceeding, and the court may exclude the public from any portion of the proceeding at which any such record may be disclosed.  

            SECTION 3. Section 4 of Chapter 167F, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the fourth paragraph the following two paragraphs:—

            The commissioner shall examine any such person, to whom any such certificate to engage in the business of selling, issuing or registering checks or money orders has been issued, as he deems necessary and in a manner he deems appropriate. The commissioner shall preserve a full record of each such examination of a check seller including a statement of its condition. All records of investigations and reports of examinations by the commissioner, including workpapers, information derived from such reports or responses to such reports, and any copies thereof in the possession of any licensee under the supervision of the commissioner, shall be confidential and privileged communications, shall not be subject to subpoena and shall not be a public record under clause twenty-sixth of section 7 of chapter 4.  For the purpose of this paragraph, records  of investigation and reports of examinations shall include records of investigation and reports of examinations conducted by a financial regulatory agency of the federal government and any other state, and of any foreign government which are considered confidential by such agency or foreign government and which are in possession of the commissioner.  In any proceeding before a court, the court may issue a protective order to seal the record protecting the confidentiality of any such record, other than any such record on file with the court or filed in connection with the court proceeding, and the court may exclude the public from any portion of the proceeding at which any such record may be disclosed.  Copies of such reports of examination shall be furnished to a licensee for its use only and shall not be exhibited to any other person, organization or agency without prior written approval by the commissioner. The commissioner may, in his discretion, furnish to regulatory agencies of the federal government, of other states, or of foreign countries, and any law enforcement agency, such information, reports, inspections and statements relating to the licensees under his supervision.

            The commissioner, or his examiners or such others of his assistants as he may designate, may summon the directors, officers or agents of a licensee, or any other witnesses, and examine them relative to the affairs, transactions and condition of the licensee, and, for that purpose, may administer oaths. Whoever, without justifiable cause, refuses to appear and testify when so required or obstructs the person making such examination in the performance of his duty, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year.

            SECTION 4. Section 10 of chapter 169, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the second paragraph the following two paragraphs:—

            The commissioner shall preserve a full record of each such examination of a licensee including a statement of its condition. All records of investigations and reports of examinations by the commissioner, including workpapers, information derived from such reports or responses to such reports, and any copies thereof in the possession of any licensee under the supervision of the commissioner, shall be confidential and privileged communications, shall not be subject to subpoena and shall not be a public record under clause twenty-sixth of section 7 of chapter 4.  For the purpose of this paragraph, records of investigation and reports of examinations shall include records of investigation and reports of examinations conducted by a financial regulatory agency of the federal government and any other state, and of any foreign government which are considered confidential by such agency or foreign government and which are in possession of the commissioner.  In any proceeding before a court, the court may issue a protective order to seal the record protecting the confidentiality in appropriate circumstances to protect the confidentiality of any such record, other than any such record on file with the court or filed in connection with the court proceeding, and the court may exclude the public from any portion of the proceeding at which any such record may be disclosed. Copies of such reports of examination shall be furnished to a licensee for its use only and shall not be exhibited to any other person, organization or agency without prior written approval by the commissioner. The commissioner may, in his discretion, furnish to regulatory agencies of the federal government, of other states, or of foreign countries, and any law enforcement agency, such information, reports, inspections and statements relating to the licensees under his supervision.

            The commissioner, or his examiners or such others of his assistants as he may designate, may summon the directors, officers or agents of a licensee, or any other witnesses, and examine them relative to the affairs, transactions and condition of the licensee, and, for that purpose, may administer oaths. Whoever, without justifiable cause, refuses to appear and testify when so required or obstructs the person making such examination in the performance of his duty, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year.

            SECTION 5. Section 10 of chapter 169A, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following two paragraphs:—

            The commissioner shall preserve a full record of each such examination of a licensee including a statement of its condition. All records of investigations and reports of examinations by the commissioner, including workpapers, information derived from such reports or responses to such reports, and any copies thereof in the possession of any licensee under the supervision of the commissioner, shall be confidential and privileged communications, shall not be subject to subpoena and shall not be a public record under clause twenty-sixth of section 7 of chapter 4. For the purpose of this paragraph, records of investigation and reports of examinations shall include records of investigation and reports of examinations conducted by a financial regulatory agency of the federal government and any other state, and of any foreign government which are considered confidential by such agency or foreign government and which are in possession of the commissioner.  In any proceeding before a court, the court may issue a protective order to seal the record protecting the confidentiality of any such record, other than any such record on file with the court or filed in connection with the court proceeding, and the court may exclude the public from any portion of the proceeding at which any such record may be disclosed. Copies of such reports of examination shall be furnished to a licensee for its use only and shall not be exhibited to any other person, organization or agency without prior written approval by the commissioner. The commissioner may, in his discretion, furnish to regulatory agencies of the federal government, of other states, or of foreign countries, and any law enforcement agency, such information, reports, inspections and statements relating to the licensees under his supervision.

            The commissioner, or his examiners or such others of his assistants as he may designate, may summon the directors, officers or agents of a licensee, or any other witnesses, and examine them relative to the affairs, transactions and condition of the licensee, and, for that purpose, may administer oaths. Whoever, without justifiable cause, refuses to appear and testify when so required or obstructs the person making such examination in the performance of his duty, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year.

            SECTION 6. Section 3 of Chapter 255B, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the first paragraph the following two paragraphs:—

            The commissioner shall preserve a full record of each such examination of a licensee including a statement of its condition. All records of investigations and reports of examinations by the commissioner, including workpapers, information derived from such reports or responses to such reports, and any copies thereof in the possession of any licensee under the supervision of the commissioner, shall be confidential and privileged communications, shall not be subject to subpoena and shall not be a public record under clause twenty-sixth of section 7 of chapter 4. For the purpose of this paragraph, records of investigation and reports of examinations shall include records of investigation and reports of examinations conducted by a financial regulatory agency of the federal government and any other state, and of any foreign government which are considered confidential by such agency or foreign government and which are in possession of the commissioner. In any proceeding before a court, the court may issue a protective order to seal the record protecting the confidentiality of any such record, other than any such record on file with the court or filed in connection with the court proceeding, and the court may exclude the public from any portion of the proceeding at which any such record may be disclosed. Copies of such reports of examination shall be furnished to a licensee for its use only and shall not be exhibited to any other person, organization or agency without prior written approval by the commissioner. The commissioner may, in his discretion, furnish to regulatory agencies of the federal government, of other states, or of foreign countries, and any law enforcement agency, such information, reports, inspections and statements relating to the licensees under his supervision.

            The commissioner, or his examiners or such others of his assistants as he may designate, may summon the directors, officers or agents of a licensee, or any other witnesses, and examine them relative to the affairs, transactions and condition of the licensee, and, for that purpose, may administer oaths. Whoever, without justifiable cause, refuses to appear and testify when so required or obstructs the person making such examination in the performance of his duty, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year.

            SECTION 7. Section 6 of chapter 255C, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the second paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following two paragraphs:—

            The commissioner shall preserve a full record of each such examination of a licensee including a statement of its condition. All records of investigations and reports of examinations by the commissioner, including workpapers, information derived from such reports or responses to such reports, and any copies thereof in the possession of any licensee under the supervision of the commissioner, shall be confidential and privileged communications, shall not be subject to subpoena and shall not be a public record under clause twenty-sixth of section 7 of chapter 4.  For the purpose of this paragraph, records of investigation and reports of examinations shall include records of investigation and reports of examinations conducted by a financial regulatory agency of the federal government and any other state, and of any foreign government which are considered confidential by such agency or foreign government and which are in possession of the commissioner. In any proceeding before a court, the court may issue a protective order to seal the record protecting the confidentiality of any such record, other than any such record on file with the court or filed in connection with the court proceeding, and the court may exclude the public from any portion of the proceeding at which any such record may be disclosed. Copies of such reports of examination shall be furnished to a licensee for its use only and shall not be exhibited to any other person, organization or agency without prior written approval by the commissioner. The commissioner may, in his discretion, furnish to regulatory agencies of the federal government, of other states, or of foreign countries, and any law enforcement agency, such information, reports, inspections and statements relating to the licensees under his supervision.

            The commissioner, or his examiners or such others of his assistants as he may designate, may summon the directors, officers or agents of a licensee, or any other witnesses, and examine them relative to the affairs, transactions and condition of the licensee, and, for that purpose, may administer oaths. Whoever, without justifiable cause, refuses to appear and testify when so required or obstructs the person making such examination in the performance of his duty, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year.

            SECTION 8. Section 3 of chapter 255D of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the first paragraph the following two paragraphs:—

            The commissioner shall preserve a full record of each such examination of a licensee including a statement of its condition. All records of investigations and reports of examinations by the commissioner, including workpapers, information derived from such reports or responses to such reports, and any copies thereof in the possession of any licensee under the supervision of the commissioner, shall be confidential and privileged communications, shall not be subject to subpoena and shall not be a public record under clause twenty-sixth of section 7 of chapter 4. For the purpose of this paragraph, records of investigation and reports of examinations shall include records of investigation and reports of examinations conducted by a financial regulatory agency of the federal government and any other state, and of any foreign government which are considered confidential by such agency or foreign government and which are in possession of the commissioner. In any proceeding before a court, the court may issue a protective order to seal the record protecting the confidentiality of any such record, other than any such record on file with the court or filed in connection with the court proceeding, and the court may exclude the public from any portion of the proceeding at which any such  record may be disclosed. Copies of such reports of examination shall be furnished to a licensee for its use only and shall not be exhibited to any other person, organization or agency without prior written approval by the commissioner. The commissioner may, in his discretion, furnish to regulatory agencies of the federal government, of other states, or of foreign countries, and any law enforcement agency, such information, reports, inspections and statements relating to the licensees under his supervision.

            The commissioner, or his examiners or such others of his assistants as he may designate, may summon the directors, officers or agents of a licensee, or any other witnesses, and examine them relative to the affairs, transactions and condition of the licensee, and, for that purpose, may administer oaths. Whoever, without justifiable cause, refuses to appear and testify when so required or obstructs the person making such examination in the performance of his duty, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year.

            SECTION 9. Section 8 of chapter 255E, as most recently amended by Chapter 223 of the Acts of 2007, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:--

            The commissioner, or his examiners or such others of his assistants as he may designate, may summon the directors, officers or agents of a licensee, or any other witnesses, and examine them relative to the affairs, transactions and condition of the licensee, and, for that purpose, may administer oaths. Whoever, without justifiable cause, refuses to appear and testify when so required or obstructs the person making such examination in the performance of his duty, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year.

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