Mass. data law finalized

The Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation this week filed a finalized version of its data security regulations, scheduled to take effect March 1, 2010. The requirements must be followed by companies handling the personal data of Bay State residents. The final version clarifies the deadline by which companies must impose the provisions on their third-party providers. Existing contracts with these third parties must include safeguard rules by March 1, 2012, but new or updated contracts must meet the March 1, 2010 deadline. -- DK