Massachusetts Consumers' Council

The Consumers' Council (known in its annual reports as the Massachusetts Consumers' Council) was established by St 1963, c 773 as an independent agency comprised of eight gubernatorial appointees and serving as a public advocate for consumer interests. It was the first such organization in the United States. The council was charged with conducting studies, investigations, and research; advising the executive and legislative branches in matters affecting consumer interests; coordinating consumer services carried on by state and other agencies; furthering consumer education; informing the public of policies or legislation beneficial or detrimental to consumers; and informing the governor, attorney general, and law enforcement agencies of violations of laws or regulations affecting consumers. Per St 1970, c 885, the council was given power to adopt and implement regulations relating to unit pricing of packaged commodities for personal, family, or household use for sale in retail stores.

St 1969, c 704, s 3 placed the council in the Executive Office of Consumer Affairs. It was abolished by St 1981, c 351, s 273, which directed the secretary of consumer affairs to assume all responsibilities and duties of the council; to develop a plan for the redistribution, modification, or elimination of these responsibilities; and to recodify MGLA, c 6, s 115, which described agency functions. That section was repealed by St 1996, c 58, s 5.

NAME AUTHORITY NOTE. Series relating to the agency described above can be found by searching the following access point for the time period stated: 1963-1981--Massachusetts Consumers Council.

From the description of Agency history record. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 81866252