Sec. 1. 10 MRSA §1174, sub-§3, śR, as amended by PL 1995, c. 65, Pt. A, §15 and affected by §153 and Pt. C, §15, is further amended to read:

R. To cancel, terminate, fail to renew or refuse to continue any franchise relationship with a licensed new motor vehicle dealer, notwithstanding the terms, provisions or conditions of any agreement or franchise or the terms or provisions of any waiver, without first furnishing notification of the termination to the new motor vehicle dealer as follows:

(1) Notification under this paragraph shall must be in writing, shall must be by certified mail or personally delivered to the new motor vehicle dealer and shall must contain:

(a) A statement of intention to terminate the franchise, cancel the franchise or not to renew the franchise;

(b) A statement of the reasons for the termination, cancellation or nonrenewal; and

(c) The date on which the termination, cancellation or nonrenewal takes effect;

(2) The notice described in this paragraph shall may not be less than 90 days prior to the effective date of the termination, cancellation or nonrenewal; or

(3) The notice described in this paragraph shall may not be less than 15 days prior to the effective date of the termination, cancellation or nonrenewal with respect to any of the following:

(a) Insolvency of the new motor vehicle dealer, or filing of any petition by or against the new motor vehicle dealer under any bankruptcy or receivorship law;

(b) The business operations of the franchised motor vehicle dealer have been abandoned or closed for 7 consecutive business days unless the closing is due to an act of God, strike or labor difficulty;