reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MA Gen L ch 12a § 6 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 12a - Office of Inspector General|Section 6 - Rules and Regulations

Section 6. The office shall, pursuant to the provisions of chapter thirty A, promulgate rules and regulations which shall govern its proceedings.  The state secretary shall not accept for filing any such regulations unless such regulation has, in addition to compliance with all applicable provisions of chapter thirty A, been approved by the general court and the governor.  Any such regulations, adopted by the office, after compliance with all applicable provisions of said chapter thirty A, be filed with the house of representatives under the provisions of this section and shall be accompanied by a summary of said regulations. Such regulation shall be referred to the appropriate joint standing committee within five days of the filing thereof. The said committee shall consider the proposed regulations and shall report to the general court within forty-five days whether or not such regulations should be adopted.  The clerk of the senate shall cause any such regulations approved by both branches of the general court within seventy-five days from the time of filing of the same with the house of representatives, to be forwarded to the governor for his approval; provided, that any such regulations which are not approved by the general court and the governor within ninety days of such filing shall be deemed to have been disapproved.  If the governor approves any such regulations so submitted he shall forward the same to the state secretary who shall publish the same in accordance with section five of chapter thirty A.  Emergency regulations may be adopted by the office after the prorogation of the general court in the manner provided by said section five of chapter thirty A; provided, that such regulations shall be filed with the house of representatives for submission to the next session of the general court for approval as hereinbefore provided; and provided, further, that such regulations shall not remain in force for more than ninety days after the general court has convened for such session.
MA Gen L ch 12a § 7 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 12a - Office of Inspector General|Section 7 - Purpose

Section 7. The office of inspector general shall act to prevent and detect fraud, waste and abuse in the expenditure of public funds, whether state, federal, or local, or relating to programs and operations involving the procurement of any supplies, services, or construction, by agencies, bureaus, divisions, sections, departments, offices, commissions, institutions and activities of the commonwealth, including those districts, authorities, instrumentalities or political subdivisions created by the general court and including the cities and towns.
MA Gen L ch 12a § 8 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 12a - Office of Inspector General|Section 8 - Duties

Section 8. The inspector general may supervise, coordinate and conduct audits and investigations, when necessary, relating to programs and operations described in section seven. He shall review legislation and regulations relating to programs and operations described in said section seven and shall make recommendations concerning the effect of such legislation or regulation on the prevention and detection of fraud, waste and abuse. He may recommend policies which will assist in the prevention or detection of fraud, waste and abuse. The person in charge of, or the governing body of any public body described in said section seven, may request the assistance of the office of inspector general with respect to implementation of any suggested policy. In that event the inspector general may assign personnel to conduct, supervise, or coordinate such activity. He may recommend policies for the conduct, supervision or coordination of relationships between state and county agencies and other state and local government agencies and federal agencies and nongovernmental entities with respect to all matters relating to the prevention and detection of fraud, waste and abuse in or relating to programs and activities described in said section seven.
MA Gen L ch 12a § 10 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 12a - Office of Inspector General|Section 10 - Reports to Attorney General or United States Attorney

Section 10. In carrying out his duties and responsibilities, the inspector general shall report to the attorney general, the United States attorney, or both, whenever the inspector general has reasonable grounds to believe there has been violation of federal or state criminal law. Said attorney general shall institute appropriate further proceedings.  When authorized by a majority vote of the inspector general council, the inspector general shall refer audit or investigative findings to the state ethics commission, or to any other federal, state or local agency, which has an interest in said findings.  Any referrals made under this section shall not be made public.
MA Gen L ch 12a § 11 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 12a - Office of Inspector General|Section 11 - Civil Actions

Section 11. The inspector general shall have the authority to institute a civil recovery action if authorized by the attorney general. In any case where the inspector general has discovered fraudulent acts and believes that civil recovery proceedings may be appropriate, he shall refer the matter to the attorney general. The attorney general may institute whatever proceedings he deems appropriate, may refer the matter to another state or local agency, may authorize the institution of appropriate civil proceedings by the inspector general, may retain the matter for further investigation, or may remand the matter to the inspector general for further investigation.
MA Gen L ch 12a § 12 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 12a - Office of Inspector General|Section 12 - Annual and Interim Reports

Section 12. The office of inspector general shall, not later than April thirtieth of each year, prepare a report summarizing the activities of the office for the prior calendar year. The office of inspector general may also prepare interim reports. These reports shall be forwarded to the governor, president of the senate, speaker of the house of representatives, the chairman of the house and senate committees on ways and means, the executive director of the legislative post-audit committee and the secretary of administration and shall be made available to the public.  The report shall include, but not be limited to: a description of significant problems in the areas of fraud, waste and abuse within programs and operations within the jurisdiction of the office; a description of the recommendations for corrective action made by the office during the reporting period with respect to significant deficiencies in the areas of fraud, waste and abuse; the identification of each significant recommendation described in previous annual reports on which corrective action has not been completed; a summary of matters referred to prosecutive authorities and the prosecutions and convictions which have resulted; a summary of any matters concerning the recovery of monies as a result of civil suit by the office of inspector general or a referral to another agency for the purposes of such suit; a list of each audit report completed by the office during the reporting period; a statement of recommendations of amendments to this chapter or the rules, regulations or procedures governing the office of inspector general which would improve the effectiveness or the operation of the office of inspector general.  A copy of such report to the general court shall be forwarded to the head or governing body of each public body referred to in the report from whom the inspector general requires a response.  The head or governing body of, each public body may, within sixty days of receipt of such report, comment upon any references to such agency contained within such report. Such comment, if any, shall be forwarded to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the chairman of the house and senate committees on ways and means, the executive director of the legislative post-audit committee, the secretary of administration, and the office of inspector general.  The report of the inspector general shall be made public on the day of filing; provided, however, that the report shall not list the names of individuals or corporations nor describe them with such sufficient particularity as to readily identify them to the general public in those cases in which no official disposition has been made by the office of inspector general or the office of attorney general or the federal prosecutor.
MA Gen L ch 12a § 13 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 12a - Office of Inspector General|Section 13 - Confidentiality of Records

Section 13. All records of the office of inspector general shall be confidential unless, it is necessary for the inspector general to make such records public in the performance of his duties, and shall not be public records as defined in section seven of chapter four.  Violation of the provisions of section nine and section ten relative to the secrecy of proceedings by the inspector general or any member of the staff, or by any member of the inspector general council, shall be punished by imprisonment in a jail or house of correction for not more than six months or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars.
MA Gen L ch 12a § 14 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 12a - Office of Inspector General|Section 14 - Complaints by Public Employees; Investigation

Section 14. (a) The inspector general may receive and investigate complaints or information from any public employee concerning the possible existence of any activity constituting fraud, waste and abuse in or relating to programs and operations as described in section seven.  (b) The inspector general shall not, after receipt of a complaint or information from an employee, disclose the identity of the employee without the written consent of said employee, unless the inspector general determines such disclosure is necessary and unavoidable during the course of the investigation. In such event, the employee shall be notified in writing at least seven days prior to such disclosure.  (c) Any employee who has authority to take, direct others to take, recommend, or approve any personnel action, shall not, with respect to such authority, take or threaten to take any action against any employees as a reprisal for making a complaint or disclosing information to the inspector general, unless the complaint was made or the information disclosed with the knowledge that it was false or with willful disregard for its truth or falsity.
MA Gen L ch 12c § 2 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 12c - Center for Health Information and Analysis|Section 2 - Center for Health Information and Analysis; Executive Director; Term; Removal

Section 2. There is hereby established a center for health information and analysis. There shall be in the center an executive director, who shall be the administrative head of the center and who shall be appointed by a majority vote of the attorney general, the state auditor and the governor for a term of 5 years. The person so appointed shall be selected without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of expertise in health care policy, expertise in health care finance and such other educational requirements and experience that the attorney general, state auditor and governor determine are necessary.  In the case of a vacancy in the position of executive director, a successor shall be appointed in the same manner as the original appointment for the unexpired term. No person shall be appointed for more than 2 consecutive 5–year terms.  The person so appointed may be removed from office, for cause, by a majority vote of the attorney general, the state auditor and the governor. Such cause may include substantial neglect of duty, gross misconduct or conviction of a crime. The reasons for removal of the executive director shall 1 be stated in writing and shall include the basis for such removal. The writing shall be sent to the clerk of the senate, the clerk of the house of representative and to the governor at the time of the removal and shall be a public record.
MA Gen L ch 12c § 3 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 12c - Center for Health Information and Analysis|Section 3 - Agents, Officers and Employees; Appointment; Powers and Duties

Section 3. The executive director may appoint and remove, subject to appropriation, such agents and subordinate officers and employees as the executive director may consider necessary and may establish such subdivisions within the center as the executive director considers appropriate to fulfill the following duties: (i) to collect, analyze and disseminate health care information to assist in the formulation of health care policy and in the provision and purchase of health care services including, but not limited to, collecting, storing and maintaining data in a payer and provider claims database; (ii) to provide an analysis of health care spending trends as compared to the health care cost growth benchmark established by the health policy commission under section 9 of chapter 6D; (iii) to collect, analyze and disseminate information regarding providers, provider organizations and payers to increase the transparency and improve the functioning of the health care system; (iv) to provide information to, and work with, the general court and other state agencies including, but not limited to, the executive office of health and human services, the department of public health, the department of mental health, the health care policy commission, the office of Medicaid and the division of insurance to collect and disseminate data concerning the cost, price and functioning of the health care system in the commonwealth and the health status of individuals; (v) to participate in and provide data and data analysis for annual hearings conducted by the health policy commission concerning health care provider and payer costs, prices and cost trends; and (vi) report to consumers comparative health care cost and quality information through the consumer health information website established under section 20. The center shall make available actual costs and prices of health care services, as supplied by each provider, to the general public in a conspicuous manner on the consumer health information website.
MA Gen L ch 12c § 4 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 12c - Center for Health Information and Analysis|Section 4 - Salaries; Personnel Regulations

Section 4. The position of executive director shall be classified under section 45 of chapter 30 and the salary shall be determined under section 46C of said chapter 30.  The total amount of all appointee salaries shall not exceed the sum appropriated therefor by the general court. Sections 9A, 45, 46, and 46C of chapter 30, chapter 31 and chapter 150E shall not apply to the executive director of the center. Sections 45, 46 and 46C of chapter 30 shall not apply to any employee of the center.  The executive director may establish personnel regulations for the officers and employees of the center. The executive director shall file an annual personnel report not later than the first Wednesday in February with the senate and house committees on ways and means containing the job classifications, duties and salary of each officer and employee within the center together with personnel regulations applicable to said officers and employees. The executive director shall file amendments to such report with the senate and house committees on ways and means whenever any changes become effective.
MA Gen L ch 12c § 5 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 12c - Center for Health Information and Analysis|Section 5 - Adoption of Rules and Regulations

Section 5. The center shall adopt and amend rules and regulations, in accordance with chapter 30A, for the administration of its duties and powers and necessary to effectuate this chapter; provided, however, that the rules or regulations shall not be construed to impair or in any way modify the authority of the executive office of health and human services to act, pursuant to section 16 of chapter 6A of the General Laws, as the single state agency authorized to supervise and administer the state programs under titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act. The regulations shall be adopted, after notice and hearing, only upon consultation with representatives of providers, provider organizations, private health care payers and public health care payers.  The center shall, before adopting regulations under this chapter, consult with other agencies of the commonwealth and the federal government, affected providers, and affected payers, as applicable, to ensure that the reporting requirements imposed under the regulations are not duplicative or excessive. If reporting requirements imposed by the center result in additional costs for the reporting providers, these costs may be included in any rates promulgated by the executive office of health and human services or a governmental unit designated by the executive office for these providers. The center may specify categories of information which may be furnished under an assurance of confidentiality to the provider; provided, however, that such assurance shall only be furnished if the information is not to be used for setting rates.
MA Gen L ch 12c § 6 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 12c - Center for Health Information and Analysis|Section 6 - Powers

Section 6. In addition to the powers conferred on state agencies, the center shall have the following powers:  (1) to make, amend and repeal rules and regulations for the management of its affairs;  (2) to make contracts and execute all instruments necessary or convenient for the carrying on of its business;  (3) to acquire, own, hold, dispose of and encumber personal property and to lease real property in the exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties; and  (4) to enter into agreements or transactions with any federal, state or municipal agency or other public institution or with any private individual, partnership, firm, corporation, association or other entity.
MA Gen L ch 12c § 11 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 12c - Center for Health Information and Analysis|Section 11 - Timely Reporting of Information Required Under Secs. 8, 9 and 10

Section 11. The center shall ensure the timely reporting of information required under sections 8, 9 and 10. The center shall notify payers, providers and provider organizations of any applicable reporting deadlines. The center shall notify, in writing, a private health care payer, provider or provider organization, which has failed to meet a reporting deadline and that failure to respond within 2 weeks of the receipt of the notice may result in penalties. The center may assess a penalty against a private payer, provider or provider organization that fails, without just cause, to provide the requested information within 2 weeks following receipt of the written notice required under this paragraph, of up to $1,000 per week for each week of delay after the 2 week period following the private payer's, provider's or provider organization's receipt of the written notice; provided, however, that the maximum annual penalty against a private payer, provider or provider organization under this section shall be $50,000. Amounts collected under this section shall be deposited in the Healthcare Payment Reform Fund, established under section 100 of 194 of the acts of 2011.
MA Gen L ch 12c § 12 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 12c - Center for Health Information and Analysis|Section 12 - Collection, Storage and Maintenance of Data Collected Under Secs. 8, 9 and 10; Payer and Provider Claims Database; Access to Data

Section 12. (a) The center shall be the sole repository for health care data collected under sections 8, 9 and 10. The center shall collect, store and maintain such data in a payer and provider claims database. The center shall acquire, retain and oversee all information technology, infrastructure, hardware, components, servers and employees necessary to carry out this section. All other agencies, authorities, councils, boards and commissions of the commonwealth seeking health care data that is collected under this section shall, whenever feasible, utilize the data before requesting data directly from health care providers and payers. In order to ensure patient data confidentiality, the center shall not contract or transfer the operation of the database or its functions to a third-party entity, nonprofit organization or governmental entity; provided, however, that the center may enter into interagency services agreements for transfer and use of the data.  The center shall, to the extent feasible, make data in the payer and provider claims database available to payers and providers in real-time; provided, however, that all data-sharing complies with applicable state and federal privacy laws The center may charge a fee for access to the data.  To the maximum extent feasible, the center shall also make data available to health care consumers, on a timely basis and in an easily readable and understandable format, data on health care services they have personally received.  (b) The center shall permit providers, provider organizations, public and private health care payers, government agencies and authorities and researchers access to de-identified data collected by the center for the purposes of lowering total medical expenses, coordinating care, benchmarking, quality analysis and other research, administrative or planning purposes, provided, however, that the data shall not include information that would allow the identification of the health information of an individual patient, except to the extent necessary for a government agency or authority to accomplish the public purposes for which access was given. The center shall also permit providers, provider organizations, and public and private health care payers access to data with patient identifiers solely for the purpose of carrying out treatment and coordinating care among providers. Access to data authorized under this section shall be deemed to comply with the requirements of chapter 66A. The center shall charge user fees sufficient to defray the center's cost of providing such access to non-governmental entities.