Bill > H59

This bill revises the Uniform Arbitration Act for commercial disputes in Massachusetts. Key provisions include: - Defining important terms like "arbitration organization," "arbitrator," and "record" to provide clarity on the scope of the law. - Establishing that the law governs all commercial arbitration agreements made on or after the effective date, and allows parties to opt-in pre-existing agreements. - Outlining procedures for compelling arbitration, appointing arbitrators, and disclosing potential conflicts of interest. - Granting arbitrators broad authority to manage the arbitration process, including issuing subpoenas, permitting discovery, and issuing provisional remedies. - Specifying grounds for courts to vacate, modify, or correct arbitration awards, and establishing procedures for appeals. - Providing immunity for arbitrators and representatives of arbitration organizations. - Aiming to promote uniform application of the law across states that have enacted it. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2019 and will not affect actions or rights accrued before that date.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H59