reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MA Gen L ch 31 § 12 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions|Chapter 31 - Civil Service|Section 12 - Provisional Appointments

Section 12. An appointing authority may make a provisional appointment to a position in the official service with the authorization of the administrator or, if the appointing authority is a department, board, commission, institution or other agency within an executive office, with the authorization of the secretary of such office. Such authorization may be given only if no suitable eligible list exists from which certification of names may be made for such appointment or if the list contains the names of less than three persons who are eligible for and willing to accept employment and the appointing authority submits a written statement to the administrator that each person whose name was certified and who reported for an interview was interviewed and considered for appointment and states sound and sufficient reasons, satisfactory to the administrator, for not making an appointment from among such persons. A provisional appointment may be authorized pending the establishment of an eligible list. Such authorization shall be void unless exercised within two weeks after it is granted.  After authorization of a provisional appointment pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the administrator shall proceed to conduct an examination as he determines necessary and to establish an eligible list. Such examination shall be held and such eligible list shall be established within one year from the date of such authorization if the appointment must comply with federal standards for a merit system of personnel administration as a condition for receipt of federal funds by the commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions. If, as the result of such examination, no suitable eligible list is established, the administrator, upon the request of the appointing authority, may authorize an extension of the provisional appointment pending the results of another examination. Upon authorization of such an extension, the administrator shall arrange to hold a new examination forthwith and to determine the results of such examination. The eligible list resulting from such new examination shall be established within eighteen months of the determination of the results of the last previous examination, provided, however, that such new examination shall be held no later than one year from the date the last examination was held if the appointment must comply with federal standards for a merit system of personnel administration as a condition for receipt of federal funds by the commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions.  If no eligible list is established after a second examination for the same position, the administrator and the appointing authority shall confer and decide what action should be taken, such as the holding of another examination on a different basis.
MA Gen L ch 31 § 13 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions|Chapter 31 - Civil Service|Section 13 - Provisional Appointments; Notice; Filing

Section 13. An appointing authority, in requesting authorization to make a provisional appointment, shall file with the administrator or, if the appointing authority is a department, board, commission, institution or other agency within an executive office, with the secretary in charge of such office, a notice containing: (1) the information which the appointing authority believes is necessary to prepare and conduct an examination for the position for which such authorization is being requested, including a statement of the duties of the position, and the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform such duties; (2) a proposal specifying the type of examination which should be held by the administrator; (3) a substantiation that the person proposed for the provisional appointment meets the proposed requirements for appointment to the position and possesses the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform such duties.
MA Gen L ch 31 § 14 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions|Chapter 31 - Civil Service|Section 14 - Provisional Appointments; Authorization; Reports; Length of Service; Termination

Section 14. Upon receipt of the notice described in section thirteen, the administrator or the secretary in charge of the executive office, as the case may be, may authorize a provisional appointment if he determines that the contents of the notice are satisfactory. If the administrator or secretary and the appointing authority which filed the notice agree that the duties, qualifications and entrance requirements are correct as stated in the notice and if no person who meets the entrance requirements can be found for provisional appointment to the position pending the holding of an examination and the establishment of an eligible list, the position shall remain unfilled until such eligible list is established; provided, however, that if an emergency exists, and the appointing authority describes the reasons for the emergency, states that such position must be filled because of such emergency, and submits a statement which describes to the satisfaction of the administrator the steps which have been taken to find a person who meets the entrance requirements for the position, the administrator may authorize a provisional appointment of a person who does not meet such entrance requirements. Such authorization in the case of such emergency shall not constitute a finding that the person so provisionally appointed is eligible to take the examination for such position.  Each provisional appointment shall be reported by the appointing authority to the administrator. A provisional appointment may be terminated by the administrator at any time and, except as provided in the preceding paragraph, shall be terminated forthwith whenever the administrator or secretary shall determine that the person appointed does not, in fact, possess the approved qualifications or satisfy the approved requirements for the position. The administrator shall have the authority to terminate a provisional appointment which was approved by a secretary of an executive office.  Except as otherwise provided by section fifteen, no provisional employment in a position shall be authorized, approved, or continued for more than thirty days following a certification from an eligible list if such list contains the names of three persons eligible for and willing to accept appointment to such position.  A provisional appointment shall be terminated if there is a change in the nature of the employment or in the salary of the person who has been provisionally appointed.
MA Gen L ch 31 § 15 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions|Chapter 31 - Civil Service|Section 15 - Provisional Promotions

Section 15. An appointing authority may, with the approval of the administrator or, if the appointing authority is a department, board, commission, institution or other agency within an executive office, with the approval of the secretary of such office, make a provisional promotion of a civil service employee in one title to the next higher title in the same departmental unit. Such provisional promotion may be made only if there is no suitable eligible list, or if the list contains the names of less than three persons eligible for and willing to accept employment, or if an eligible list has been established as a result of a competitive examination for an original appointment and the appointing authority requests that the position be filled by a departmental promotional examination or pursuant to section eight. No provisional promotion shall be continued after a certification by the administrator of the names of three persons eligible for and willing to accept promotion to such position.  If there is no such employee in the next lower title who is qualified for and willing to accept such a provisional promotion the administrator may authorize a provisional promotion of a permanent employee in the departmental unit without regard to title, upon submission to the administrator by the appointing authority of sound and sufficient reasons therefor, satisfactory to the administrator. If the administrator has approved the holding of a competitive promotional examination pursuant to section eleven, he may authorize the provisional promotion of a person who is eligible to take such examination, without regard to departmental unit.  A provisional promotion pursuant to this section shall not be deemed to interrupt the period of service in the position from which the provisional promotion was made where such service is required to establish eligibility for any promotional examination.  A secretary of an executive office who approves a provisional promotion pursuant to this section shall notify the administrator of each such approval. Such approval shall be made pursuant to the civil service law and rules, and such notification shall be made in such form as shall be required by the administrator. The administrator shall terminate any provisional promotion if, at any time, he determines that (1) it was made in violation of the civil service law and rules, or (2) the person provisionally promoted does not possess the qualifications or satisfy the requirements for the position. An appointing authority which makes a provisional promotion pursuant to this section shall report such promotion to the administrator.
MA Gen L ch 31 § 16 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions|Chapter 31 - Civil Service|Section 16 - Scope of Examinations; Marks; Appointments Based Solely on Training and Experience

Section 16. Examinations shall be conducted under the direction of the administrator, who shall determine their form, method and subject matter. Examinations shall fairly test the knowledge, skills and abilities which can be practically and reliably measured and which are actually required to perform the primary or dominant duties of the position for which the examination is held. The administrator shall, in development of examinations, consult with representatives of labor and professionals in the field to increase emphasis upon aptitudes relevant to performing the positions to be tested. Upon the application of a handicapped person to take an examination for any position, the administrator, upon written request of such person, shall make reasonable accommodations as will enable such handicapped person to take the examination.  The administrator shall, subject to the provisions of section twenty-six, where applicable, examine, qualify, and rank applicants for original or promotional appointments solely on the basis of training, experience, education or other criteria considered appropriate by the administrator (a) for a scientific or professional position for which education at or above the master's degree level is required by statute or under authority thereof; (b) when the major duty of a position is such that applicants are required to have successfully completed a course in emergency medical care pursuant to the provisions of chapter one hundred and eleven C; (c) when the major duty of a position is such that applicants are required to possess a certificate, registration or license issued after examination by a state board of registration or examiners or by a professional association specified by the administrator. A person who has taken a civil service examination pursuant to this paragraph shall not have recourse to the review procedures set forth in section twenty-two.
MA Gen L ch 31 § 17 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions|Chapter 31 - Civil Service|Section 17 - Persons With Bachelor's Degrees; Examination; Eligible List; Certification

Section 17. The administrator, without requisition from an appointing authority, may hold a competitive examination to establish an eligible list of persons with bachelor's degrees. Such examination shall be open to any person who, at the time of the examination, has completed, or expects to complete within nine months, a four year course leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or who has a combination of education and experience in administrative, professional or investigative work which the administrator finds acceptable.  Names shall be placed on the eligible list established as a result of such examination in the order specified by section twenty-six. Such list shall be open to public inspection. Each applicant shall be notified promptly of his mark on the examination. Certification from such list shall be made by the administrator only to fill vacancies in offices or positions in the official service for which he determines the examination to have been appropriate. Certifications from such list to the subdivisions of the commonwealth shall be made only upon request of the appointing authority.  A person who has taken an examination pursuant to this section shall not have recourse to the review procedures set forth in section twenty-two.
MA Gen L ch 31 § 18 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions|Chapter 31 - Civil Service|Section 18 - Notice of Examinations for Original Appointments; Posting

Section 18. The administrator shall prepare notices of all examinations for original appointment to the official service and shall send such notices to the clerks of those cities and towns where persons are domiciled who may be eligible to apply to take such examinations. The clerks shall cause a minimum of five such notices to be posted in the city and town halls and in other conspicuous places for at least three weeks prior to the final day for the filing of applications for the examination or, if no such final day for filing is indicated, as directed by the administrator. The clerks of such cities and towns shall submit an annual report to the administrator certifying that all such notices have been posted pursuant to the requirements of this section. The administrator shall determine when such annual report shall be submitted and the specific information it shall contain concerning the time and place of posting of notices.  The administrator, on the basis of his assessment of local conditions, may require posting in addition to that required by this section or may modify the requirements of this section in some other manner. The administrator shall distribute to high schools in the commonwealth notices of examinations for original appointment to entry level positions in state service and service in political subdivisions of the commonwealth for which persons in their senior year of high school are eligible. The administrator shall cause to be posted copies of all notices required by this section in a conspicuous place at the office of the division for not less than three weeks prior to the final day for the filing of applications for the examination or, if no such final day for filing is indicated, for so long as he shall continue to accept applications for the examination.  Each notice required by this section shall state the duties, compensation, and title of and required qualifications for the position for which the examination is to be held, the time, place and manner of applying for admission to the examination, the entrance requirements, if any, and any other information which the administrator determines should be included because of its relevancy and usefulness.
MA Gen L ch 31 § 19 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions|Chapter 31 - Civil Service|Section 19 - Notice of Examination for Promotional Appointments; Posting

Section 19. The administrator shall prepare a notice of each competitive examination to be held for a promotional appointment in the official service. The administrator shall send copies of such notice to the appointing authority for the departmental unit in which the promotional appointment is to be made and to the appointing authority for any other departmental unit in which persons eligible to take such examination may be employed. Any appointing authority receiving such notice shall cause it to be posted in conspicuous places in the departmental unit and in each of its branch offices. Such appointing authority shall mail a copy of such notice to any eligible employee of such unit who, during the entire period of such posting, is on sick or military leave, on vacation, or off the payroll. The appointing authority shall make provision for fully informing all employees in such departmental unit of the places where such notices are posted.  Each notice required by this section shall state the duties, compensation, and title of and required qualifications for the position for which the examination is to be held, the time, place and manner of applying for admission to the examination, the entrance requirements, and any other information which the administrator determines should be included because of its relevancy and usefulness.
MA Gen L ch 31 § 20 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions|Chapter 31 - Civil Service|Section 20 - Applications for Examination or Registration; Fees; Requests for Information

Section 20. Each application for examination or registration pursuant to the civil service law and rules shall be made under the penalties of perjury and shall contain requests for such information as the administrator deems necessary. Each such application for a non-promotional examination shall include a fee, not exceeding ten dollars, which may be waived by the administrator, subject to the rules adopted pursuant to section four.  No applicant shall be required to furnish any information in such application with regard to: any act of waywardness or delinquency or any offense committed before the applicant reached the age of 18 years; any arrest for a misdemeanor or felony which did not result in a court appearance, unless court action is pending; any complaint which was dismissed for lack of prosecution or which resulted in a finding or verdict of not guilty; or any arrest for or disposition of any of the following misdemeanors: drunkenness, simple assault, speeding, minor traffic violation, affray, or disturbance of the peace if disposition thereof occurred five years or more prior to the filing of the application.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, an application for examination or registration shall contain the following question:   ''Have you been convicted of a criminal offense other than drunkenness, simple assault, speeding, traffic violation, affray, or disturbance of the peace?  If yes, please indicate the date, court, offense charged and the penalty imposed.'' Each applicant shall answer such question, subject to the provisions of sections one hundred A, one hundred B and one hundred C of chapter two hundred and seventy-six.
MA Gen L ch 31 § 21 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions|Chapter 31 - Civil Service|Section 21 - Educational and Physical Requirements; Eligibility Based on Gender

Section 21. The administrator may establish educational requirements and alternatives thereto, in addition to the educational requirements established by statute, as prerequisites for appointment to any civil service position.  The administrator may also establish physical requirements, in addition to those established by statute and rule, as prerequisites for appointment to any civil service position; provided, however, that no applicant shall be discriminated against because he previously suffered from cancer if he is otherwise physically qualified and he signs a waiver of rights to disability benefits with respect to said cancer. The administrator may require an applicant for an original appointment to submit to physical examination prior to such appointment. The administrator may also require an applicant for a promotional appointment to submit a certificate of physical fitness signed by a physician approved by the administrator.  Any person who is unable to meet a physical requirement established by the administrator shall not be disqualified as a result of such inability from applying for and receiving an appointment to a civil service position if such person submits proof, satisfactory to the administrator, that he was injured in the performance of his duties while employed pursuant to a provisional appointment in such position, that he is unable to meet the physical requirements established by the administrator for such position solely because of such injury, and that the injury does not prevent him from performing the duties of such position. Such person shall, however, be subject to all other requirements for appointment to the position.  The administrator may limit eligibility for any examination for an original appointment to either male or female persons if the appointing authority requests such limitation in its requisition. Both male and female persons shall be presumed to be eligible for a promotional appointment to any civil service position; provided, however, that the administrator may limit such eligibility to either male or female persons if the duties and responsibilities of such position require special physical or medical standards or require custody or care of a person of a particular sex. Prior to any such limitation of appointment or promotion, the administrator shall submit in writing to the Massachusetts commission against discrimination a request for its recommendations on such proposed limitations.