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    APRIL - MAY   2006  
             

 

Melanie's Law

 

 

"Melanie's Law" was signed into law on October 28, 2005.  Its purpose is to enhance the penalties and administrative sanctions for Operating Under the Influence (OUI) offenders in Massachusetts.  The information below highlights the new penalties under the law and those sections that  pertain to RMV suspensions.

  • Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol While Already Suspended for OUI.  Melanie's Law established a new offence of Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol and Operating After Suspension for Drunk Driving. This means that a driver, who was driving under the influence of alcohol while his/her license was already suspended for OUI, can be charged with two crimes at once: 1.) OUI and 2.) OUI with a suspended license. This additional offense carries a minimum of a 1-year mandatory jail sentence.
  • Employing or Allowing an Unlicensed Operator to Operate a Motor Vehicle. Melanie's Law has defined the penalties for allowing or employing an unlicensed driver (including relatives, friends, or known acquaintances) to operate a Motor Vehicle.
  • Child Endangerment While Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol.  Melanie's Law creates a new crime of Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol With a Child 14 Years of Age or Younger in the Vehicle.  This means that a driver can be charged with two crimes at once: 1.) OUI and 2.) Child endangerment While OUI.
  • Registration Cancellation Melanie's Law allows the Registry to cancel the registration plates of anyone convicted of a 3rd or subsequent alcohol-related driving offense for the duration of the suspension period.
  • Vehicle Forfeiture Melanie's Law allows a District Attorney to seek forfeiture of motor vehicle for any defendant convicted of a 4th or subsequent alcohol-related driving offense.
  • Chemical Test Refusal or Failure Melanie's Law eliminates the allowance of a 15 day temporary license. In addition, the operator's  vehicle will be impounded for 12 hours. The License suspension periods for refusing a chemical test have increased as well.
  • Manslaughter by Motor Vehicle Melanie's Law creates a new crime of Manslaughter by Motor Vehicle. Any driver who commits manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs shall be convicted of Manslaughter by Motor Vehicle.
  • Motor Vehicle Homicide  Melanie's Law increases the length of license suspension from 10 years to a minimum of 15 years for a conviction of Motor Vehicle Homicide.
  • Ignition Interlock Devices  Starting January 1, 2006, any driver with a second or subsequent operating under the influence offense who is eligible for  a hardship license or for license reinstatement will be required to have an Ignition Interlock Device attached to any vehicle the driver owns, leases, or operates (including an employer's vehicle) at the driver's expense. The goal of this device is to protect both the public and the driver from continued unlawful operation of a motor vehicle. Massachusetts now joins a majority of states in utilizing this technology.

     

Go to www.massrmv.com  to "What's New" for a complete list of the new criminal offenses and penalties.

  

 

 

 

    

 


 

 

 

 

   Mass One Employee Receives CPCU Designation

 Darlene Tebaldi of Mass One Insurance Agency has been awarded the professional insurance designation, Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) by the American Institute for CPCU.  The American Institute for CPCU is an independent, nonprofit educational organization that confers the CPCU designation on persons who complete eight rigorous courses and national examinations and meet its ethics and experience requirements.  All CPCU’s are required to maintain and to improve their professional knowledge, skills, and competence through their commitment to the American Institute’s Code of Professional Ethics.

Darlene has worked as an insurance agent for 25 years with the last 20 years specifically in the commercial insurance arena.  She is currently an Account Executive with Mass One Insurance.  Darlene has previously earned the CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) designation by successfully passing the five exams that cover multi-lines of insurance.  She is past president, treasurer and current secretary of the Pioneer Valley Insurance Group.  Darlene currently resides in Easthampton.

 

Renter’s Insurance

   Your landlord’s Policy Will Not Cover Your Personal Loss.

  While  you may not own the place you call home, chances are you do own nearly everything inside it.  Renter’s insurance provides affordable protection for your personal belongings from fire, theft, vandalism. 

   It also protects you in the event someone is injured or suffers a loss while on your rented premises. 

   Typically, it also covers against the possibility of damage from things like smoke, lightning, wind, hail, explosions, and water from pipes.

Benefits

·        Safeguards your possessions
 

·        Coverage is extended to your
  possessions, even if they are
     lost or damaged at a location
   outside your rented premises.

·        Liability coverage in the event
   someone is injured or suffers a
loss while on your rented
 premises.

 Other Features

·        Discounts for fire protection devices

·       Option to reduce your out-of-pocket premium by increasing your deductible.

 Elements to Consider

  • Like most types of property insurance, Renter's Insurance does not cover loss due to floods and earthquakes.  Additional coverage for these events may need to be purchased as a rider or a separate policy
    .

  • A Renter's policy has a specified limit for certain items such as jewelry, cash, and guns.
     

  •      Another  important consideration is whether you want actual cash value (what the item is worth at the time of loss) or replacement cost (what you will have to spend to get a new one) of the damaged or stolen property.

  

Call Mass One today to obtain a quote for this beneficial coverage.