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An Act To Strengthen the Home Construction Contract Laws
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 10 MRSA §1487-A  is enacted to read:
§ 1487-A.  Bond
A contractor who enters into a contract under this chapter must post a bond of $10,000 to ensure compliance with this chapter.
Sec. 2. 10 MRSA §1490, sub-§3  is enacted to read:
 
3.  Court costs and attorney's fees.     A judgment against a contractor for a violation of the contract executed pursuant to this chapter must include court costs and reasonable attorney's fees.
Sec. 3. 10 MRSA §1490-A  is enacted to read:
§ 1490-A.  Resolution of disputes
Upon complaint from a party to a contract executed pursuant to this chapter, the Attorney General shall enforce the alternative dispute resolution terms agreed to by the parties pursuant to section 1487, subsection 8.
 
SUMMARY
This bill amends the laws relating to construction contracts by:
1. Directing the Attorney General to enforce the provision of the contract requiring the contractor to submit to dispute resolution;
2. Requiring a contractor that is subject to the construction contract provisions to post a $10,000 bond to ensure the contract's warranty provision; and
3. Requiring a judgment against a contractor for a violation of a contract to include court costs and reasonable attorney's fees.