Public Hearing Notice  Notice of Public Hearing - Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Program

Notice of Public Hearing

The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) will be holding a public hearing on proposed regulations at 201 CMR 14.00 and 18.00. The public hearing will be held virtually on May 2, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. by videoconference using the following link: Join the meeting now Participants may also join the hearing on that day by phone at (857) 327-9245, Phone Conference ID: 592555084#

Parties will be given an opportunity to present testimony orally or in writing at this hearing. OCABR will also accept written comments regarding the regulations sent via email at Clinton.dick@mass.gov or by mail at Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, Suite 0720, Boston, MA 02110. Written comments must be received by 5:00 pm on Friday, May 2, 2025.

The purpose of the public hearing is to update and improve the registration process for contractors, clarify definitions, and update the enforcement actions to match the statutory amendments to M.G.L c. 142A which went into effect November 20^th, 2024. Also, there are updates, improvements, and clarifications of the operation of private arbitration services program within the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) and update definitions to match the statutory amendments to M.G.L c. 142A which went into effect November 20^th, 2024. The updates pertain to the new statutory periods in which a homeowner may file a request for arbitration and Guaranty Fund claims.

A draft of 201 CMR 14.00 and 18.00 is available below.