reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 178i - Report Identifying Sex Offender; Request for Information; Confidentiality

Section 178I. Any person who is 18 years of age or older and who states that he is requesting sex offender registry information for his own protection or for the protection of a child under the age of 18 or another person for whom the requesting person has responsibility, care or custody shall receive at no cost from the board a report to the extent available pursuant to sections 178C to 178P, inclusive, which indicates whether an individual identified by name, date of birth or sufficient personal identifying characteristics is a sex offender with an obligation to register pursuant to this chapter, the offenses for which he was convicted or adjudicated and the dates of such convictions or adjudications. Any records of inquiry shall be kept confidential, except that the records may be disseminated to assist or defend in a criminal prosecution.
Information about an offender shall be made available pursuant to this section only if the offender is a sex offender who has been finally classified by the board as a level 2 or level 3 sex offender.
All reports to persons making inquiries shall include a warning regarding the criminal penalties for use of sex offender registry information to commit a crime or to engage in illegal discrimination or harassment of an offender and the punishment for threatening to commit a crime under section 4 of chapter 275.
The board shall not release information identifying the victim by name, address or relation to the offender.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 178m - Judicial Review of Final Classification

Section 178M. An offender may seek judicial review, in accordance with section 14 of chapter 30A, of the board's final classification, reclassification and registration requirements. The court shall, if requested, appoint counsel to represent the sex offender in the proceedings if such sex offender is deemed indigent in accordance with section 2 of chapter 211D. An attorney employed or retained by the board may make an appearance, subject to section 3 of chapter 12, to defend the board's decision. The court shall reach its final decision within 60 days of such sex offender's petition for review. The court shall keep proceedings conducted pursuant to this paragraph and records from such proceedings confidential and such proceedings and records shall be impounded, but the filing of an action under this section shall not stay the effect of the board's final classification.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 178n - Misuse of Information; Penalties

Section 178N. Information contained in the sex offender registry shall not be used to commit a crime against a sex offender or to engage in illegal discrimination or harassment of an offender. Any person who uses information disclosed pursuant to the provisions of sections 178C to 178P, inclusive, for such purpose shall be punished by not more than two and one-half years in a house of correction or by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by both such fine and imprisonment.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 178o - Liability of Public Officials and Employees for Sex Offender Registry Information

Section 178O. Police officials and other public employees acting in good faith shall not be liable in a civil or criminal proceeding for any publication on the internet under section 178D or other dissemination of sex offender registry information or for any act or omission pursuant to the provisions of sections 178C to 178P, inclusive.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 178p - Failure to Comply With Registration Requirements; Right to Arrest; Risk of Reoffense Information Disclosure

Section 178P. Whenever a police officer has probable cause to believe that a sex offender has failed to comply with the registration requirements of sections 178C to 178P, inclusive, such officer shall have the right to arrest such sex offender without a warrant and to keep such sex offender in custody.
Whenever a police officer, district attorney or agent, employee or representative of the executive office of health and human services has information indicating that a sex offender is at risk to reoffend, the police department, district attorney or, to the extent permitted by federal law, the executive office of health and human services agent, employee or representative shall forward that information to the board; but a police department or district attorney shall not forward information to the board that the police department or district attorney believes will compromise an ongoing investigation. The board, after consulting the executive office of health and human services, shall adopt regulations to provide specific guidance concerning the type and location of information that might indicate that a sex offender is at risk to reoffend and the circumstances that require disclosure.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 178q - Sex Offender Registry Fee

Section 178Q. The sex offender registry board shall assess upon every sex offender a sex offender registration fee of $75, hereinafter referred to as a sex offender registry fee. Said offender shall pay said sex offender registry fee upon his initial registration as a sex offender and annually thereafter on the anniversary of said registration; provided, however, that no such fee shall be assessed or collected until the offender has either (1) waived his right to petition for an evidentiary hearing to challenge his duty to register as a sex offender as set forth in section 178L or (2) has completely exhausted the legal remedies made available to him to so challenge said duty to register pursuant to sections 178L and 178M and has not prevailed in his attempt to eliminate said duty. A sex offender's duty to pay the fee established by this section shall only terminate upon the termination of said offender's duty to register as a sex offender as set forth in section 178G.
The sex offender registry board may waive payment of said sex offender registry fee if it determines that such payment would constitute an undue hardship on said person or his family due to limited income, employment status, or any other relevant factor. Any such waiver so granted shall be in effect only during the period of time that said person is determined to be unable to pay the sex offender registry fee. The sex offender registry board shall establish procedures relative to the collection and waiver of such fee by regulation. Said sex offender registry fee shall be collected and retained by the sex offender registry board. The sex offender registry board shall account for all such fees received and report said fees annually to the secretary of administration and finance and the house and senate committees on ways and means.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 179 - Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources; Members; Terms; Director; Staff

Section 179. There shall be in the executive office of environmental affairs a board of underwater archaeological resources, hereinafter referred to as the board. The board shall consist of the state archaeologist or his designee, the state archivist or his designee, the director of waterways or his designee, the director of coastal zone management or his designee, the director of environmental law enforcement or his designee, the executive director of the Massachusetts historical commission or his designee and three persons to be appointed by the governor, one of whom shall be a marine archaeologist and two of whom shall be qualified or certified divers, one to be appointed by the governor chosen from a list submitted by recognized diving organizations. The members shall be appointed for terms of three years; provided, however, that of the initial appointments, two shall be for terms of two years and one shall be for a term of three years. The members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
The board shall be headed by a director of underwater archaeological resources, appointed by a majority of the members of said board, who shall be responsible for carrying out the work of the board under the supervision of said board. The director shall be qualified by training and experience to carry out the duties of the board. The director may employ such employees, experts and consultants as may be necessary.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 181 - Nutrition Board; Establishment; Members; Secretary and Executive Secretary; Staff; Appointment

Section 181. There shall be in the executive office of health and human services a nutrition board, hereinafter referred to as the board, which shall consist of the commissioner of public health, who shall serve as chairman, the commissioner of public welfare, the commissioner of early education and care, the commissioner of mental health, the commissioner of developmental services, the commissioner of education, the commissioner of food and agriculture, the secretary of health and human services, the director of consumer affairs and business regulation, the secretary of elder affairs, or their respective designees, and nine persons to be appointed for terms of three years by the governor, of whom one shall be a registered physician with expertise in nutritional science, one shall be a qualified practicing nutritionist or dietician with experience and knowledge in public and community nutrition, one shall be a representative of the food industry, one shall be a nutrition educator from an institution of higher education concerned with graduate education in the field of nutrition, and five shall be representatives of the general public who shall be consumers selected in a manner so as to reflect the population distribution of the commonwealth. Appointive members of the board shall not be compensated for their services, but shall be reimbursed for any expense actually and necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties.
The chairman shall, with the approval of the board, appoint a secretary and an executive secretary who shall not be subject to the provisions of chapter thirty-one and section nine A of chapter thirty, but who shall be recognized authorities in the field of public health nutrition and nutritional science and who shall have broad experience in public health nutrition. The secretary and executive secretary shall receive such salary as the board, with the approval of the governor, may fix. The chairman shall, with the approval of the board, expend such sums for clerical, technical and other assistance as may be required by the board in carrying out its duties. The board shall be provided with adequate quarters in the state house or elsewhere.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 182 - Advisory Function; Duties

Section 182. The nutrition board shall act in an advisory capacity to the secretaries and commissioners having membership on the board as provided in section one hundred and eighty-one and shall:
(i) plan long-range nutrition programs for the commonwealth according to need;
(ii) inform the commissioners serving on the board, and other state employees when necessary, as to the goals set forth by the White House Conference on Food and Nutrition;
(iii) review and evaluate existing food and nutritionally related programs, including school lunch and other meal programs, food assistance programs, such as the food commodity distribution program and the food stamp program, budget allocations for dietary needs under the categorical financial assistance programs, nutrition programs for the elderly, and any other such programs;
(iv) survey the nutritional health of the citizens of the commonwealth, particularly that of low-income persons and other high risk groups;
(v) assist in planning the development of nutrition programs and projects in private and public institutions and the various bureaus, departments and offices of the commonwealth and its political subdivisions;
(vi) review the annual plans and the proposed budgets of the various state departments insofar as said plans and budget relate to or have an effect on any nutrition or nutritionally related matters or programs, the eating habits of the citizens of the commonwealth or the nutritional health of the citizens of the commonwealth and make recommendations to the commissioners of the various departments in relation thereto;
(vii) devise a plan whereby the benefits of various governmental and nongovernmental funding opportunities can be secured for the citizens of the commonwealth;
(viii) submit an annual report to the governor, the commissioners of departments of the commonwealth and the general court, which report may include recommendations for legislation regarding nutritional and food service problems and programs in the commonwealth.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 182a - Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Advisory Board

Section 182A. There shall be a Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey advisory board that shall consist of the following members: the commissioner of conservation and recreation or a designee; the president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy or a designee; the executive director of the office of travel and tourism or a designee; the secretary of education or a designee; and 5 members appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be a resident of the city of New Bedford, 1 of whom shall be a member of the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Association, Inc. or its successor organization and 3 of whom shall have expertise relevant to the mission of the advisory board, expertise in Cape Verdean history as it relates to the Schooner-Ernestina-Morrissey or expertise in the history of the ship as the Effie M. Morrissey.
Each appointed member of the advisory board shall serve for a term of 3 years. The advisory board shall annually elect, from among its members, a chair and a vice-chair. The members of the board shall serve without compensation. The board shall meet not less than biannually and shall meet upon the request of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy to advise the academy on matters that relate to the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 182b - Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey to Be Held by Massachusetts Maritime Academy for Educational and Training Purposes and Tourism; Powers

Section 182B. The Massachusetts Maritime Academy shall hold, administer, operate, preserve and maintain the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey for educational and training purposes and may participate in tourism activities in cooperation with the advisory board on vacation travel. The Massachusetts Maritime Academy shall establish all policies relative to the operation of the vessel.
The Massachusetts Maritime Academy may:
(i) authorize the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey to ply the oceans, seas and all navigable waters and to fly the flag of the commonwealth; provided, however, that the vessel shall not be used for commercial fishing;
(ii) charge fees or tuition to students, trainees, sailing cadets or others who are carried on voyages or trips for educational or training purposes;
(iii) charge fees to passengers for excursions and tours;
(iv) develop educational programs, including exhibitions and dockside tours of the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey and charge and receive admission fees from the public for providing such services;
(v) retain and expend any fees, tuitions and revenues received under this section to ensure the continued operation, preservation and maintenance of the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey; provided, however, that all monies retained and expended shall be reported annually to the secretary of administration and finance and the house and senate committees on ways and means;
(vi) receive and expend grants from municipal and federal agencies and private foundations to support the operation, preservation and maintenance of the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey and to receive and accept contributions, including, but not limited to, money, property and labor, from any source to be used for the purposes for which the grants and contributions are made; and
(vii) hire, as needed, professional staff to assist with the operation of the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 182c - Home Berth

Section 182C. The home berth of the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey shall be in the port of New Bedford, located in the city of New Bedford, and displayed as such on the vessel. The Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey shall be berthed in the city of New Bedford for an aggregate of not less than 90 days per calendar year on a 3-year rolling average and at no cost to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy; provided, that a berth space shall be designated for the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey at the state pier by the department of conservation and recreation or the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency while said vessel is docked in the city of New Bedford; provided, however, that the vessel may be berthed from time to time at various locations in the commonwealth, including, the Massachusetts Maritime Academy campus in Buzzards bay, and abroad, as determined by the Massachusetts Maritime Academy with the advice of the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey advisory board.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 185 - Massachusetts Office on Disability; Director; Appointments

Section 185. There shall be a Massachusetts office on disability, in this section and in sections one hundred and eighty-six to one hundred and eighty-nine, inclusive, called the office, consisting of a director on disability, in this section and in sections one hundred and eighty-six to one hundred and eighty-nine, inclusive, called the director, and an advisory council, as hereinafter described. The director shall be appointed by the governor and shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. The director shall, at the time of his appointment, have substantial professional or administrative experience in a field concerned with disability.
The position of the director shall be classified in accordance with section forty-five of chapter thirty, and the salary shall be determined in accordance with section forty-six C of said chapter thirty. The director shall devote his full time during business hours to the duties of the office.
The director shall, with the advice of the advisory council, have sole charge of the supervision and administration of the office. The director may, subject to appropriation, employ and remove such assistant directors and other employees and consultants as he may deem necessary to enable him to perform his duties. The provisions of chapter thirty-one and section nine A of chapter thirty shall not apply to the director or to such assistant directors and consultants as he may appoint. In making such appointments, the director shall make every reasonable effort to ensure that persons with disabilities are employed.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 186 - Application for Grants; Agreements; Standards and Procedures

Section 186. Subject to the approval of the commissioner of administration, the director may apply for and accept on behalf of the commonwealth any federal, local or private grants of money or property, whether real or personal, from any source, whether public or private, bequests, gifts or contributions to aid in the financing of any of the programs or policies of the office. Such funds shall be received by the state treasurer on behalf of the commonwealth and deposited in a separate account and shall be expended under the direction of the director, with the approval of the commissioner of administration.
The office may make agreements with other departments and agencies of the commonwealth and may contract with other individuals, organizations, corporations, associations or other legal entities including private agencies, or any departments or agencies of the federal government or the commonwealth or any political subdivisions thereof, to carry out any of the functions and purposes of the office. The director shall establish standards and procedures governing such agreements and contracts subject to the approval of the commissioner of administration.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 187 - Duties and Functions

Section 187. The office, in order to bring about full and equal participation in all aspects of life by all persons with disabilities in the commonwealth, shall strive for the advancement of legal rights and for the promotion of the maximum possible opportunities, supportive services, accommodations and accessibility, in a manner which fosters dignity and self-determination. The duties and functions of the office shall be:
(a) to identify, analyze, evaluate and monitor public policies, programs, services and regulations that affect or may affect persons with disabilities;
(b) to utilize a system of collection of information for the purpose of identifying inadequate or inaccessible programs and services, inadequate coordination of programs and services, unnecessary programs and services, and duplication of programs and services;
(c) to make recommendations and to provide comprehensive coordination and support to appropriate state agencies concerning public policies, programs, services and regulations as they affect or may affect persons with disabilities;
(d) to develop and promote information and referral services regarding programs, services, rights and opportunities for persons with disabilities;
(e) to identify and recommend to state and local agencies, departments and organizations appropriate sources of state and federal funds which are available for expanding or improving services and programs for persons with disabilities;
(f) to prepare and submit to the governor an annual report which shall be a public document; and which shall include the description, and evaluation of the activities of the office implementing the aforesaid duties and functions; the description, evaluation and analysis of public policies, programs, services and regulations that affect or may affect persons with disabilities; and recommendations for the development, coordination and improved responsiveness of such policies, programs, services and regulations.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 188 - Availability of Information

Section 188. In order to fulfill the functions of the office such information as the director may require shall be made available to him, upon request, by any department, division, board, bureau, commission, or agency of the commonwealth.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 191 - Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; Definitions Applicable to Secs. 191 to 199

Section 191. As used in sections one hundred and ninety-one to one hundred and ninety-nine, inclusive, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:—
''Commission'', the commission for the deaf and hard of hearing.
''Commissioner'', the commissioner of the commission for the deaf and hard of hearing.
''Deaf'', a condition of or person with severe or complete absence of auditory sensitivity where the primary effective receptive communication mode is visual or tactile or both.
''Deaf community'', a cultural minority with distinct modes of visual and tactile communication, languages and social mores.
''Hard of hearing'', a condition of or person with some absence of auditory sensitivity with residual hearing which may be sufficient to process linguistic information through audition with or without amplification under favorable listening conditions, or a condition of or person with other auditory handicapping conditions.
''Late-deafened deaf'', a deaf person for whom spoken language is the primary and preferred mode of communication where supplemented by other visual or auditory enhancement modes. The term ''Late-deafened'' shall mean that the onset of hearing loss occurred after the individual acquired full spoken language competence.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 192 - Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; Creation; Financing; Agreements; Regulations

Section 192. There shall be a commission for the deaf and hard of hearing to be known as the Massachusetts commission for the deaf and hard of hearing consisting of a commissioner and an advisory board in this section and sections one hundred and ninety-three to one hundred and ninety-nine, inclusive.
The commission may apply for and accept on behalf of the commonwealth any federal or local grants to aid in the financing of any programs or policies of the commission. Such funds shall be received by the state treasurer on behalf of the commonwealth and deposited in a special account and may be expended, subject to appropriation. The commission may also apply for and accept on behalf of the commonwealth any private grants, bequests, gifts or contributions to further aid in the financing of programs or policies of the commission. Such funds shall be received by the state treasurer on behalf of the commonwealth and deposited in a special trust account for the commission and may be expended, without further appropriation, under the direction of the commissioner. The special trust account shall be subject to an audit by the state auditor, conducted in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards, as often as the state auditory determines is necessary.
The commission may make agreements with other departments and agencies of the commonwealth and may contract with other individuals, organizations, corporations, associations or other legal entities including private agencies, or any other departments or agencies of the federal government, the commonwealth or any political subdivisions thereof, to carry out any of its functions and procedures.
The commissioner, pursuant to the provisions of chapter thirty A shall make, and from time to time revise, such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the functions of said commission including, but not limited to, eligibility requirements for receipt of various services.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 193 - Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; Commissioner

Section 193. The secretary of health and human services shall appoint, with the approval of the governor, the commissioner. Said commissioner shall be classified in accordance with section forty-five of chapter thirty and the salary shall be determined in accordance with section forty-six C of said chapter thirty and he shall devote his full time during business hours to the duties of his office. Every effort shall be made to locate and appoint a deaf or hard of hearing commissioner. Said commissioner shall be experienced in the administration and delivery of services to deaf and hard of hearing persons, and shall be fluent in sign language.
Said commissioner shall be the executive and administrative head of the commission. Said commissioner shall establish divisions and regional offices subject to appropriation. Said commissioner may appoint and remove such directors, assistants, supervisors, consultants and other agents as, from time to time, may be necessary to enable him to perform his duties. Every effort shall be made to locate and appoint deaf and hard of hearing personnel.
The provisions of chapter thirty-one shall not apply to the office of commissioner or of any deputy commissioner, assistant to the commissioner, assistant commissioner, director or regional director or other employees as the commissioner may appoint.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 194 - Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; Functions

Section 194. The commission shall serve as the principal agency of the commonwealth, on behalf of deaf and hard of hearing persons, shall advocate, provide and coordinate promulgation of public policies, regulations and programs, shall improve accessibility and quality of existing services and shall promote development of new services when necessary. In the performance of this function, the commission shall increase public awareness of deaf and hard of hearing individuals and shall provide services to the deaf and hard of hearing population including but not limited to interpreting services, telecommunication liaison services, information and referral, case management and social services, independent living services and access to telecommunication and assistive listening devices. The commission shall determine the extent and availability of services to deaf and hard of hearing individuals within the commonwealth, determine the need for further services, make recommendations to the governor and shall file a copy thereof with the state secretary.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 195 - Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; Advisory Council

Section 195. The governor shall appoint an advisory council of no fewer than twelve and no more than twenty members. Persons shall be eligible for appointment if their position, knowledge or experience enables them to represent the concerns, needs and recommendations of deaf and hard of hearing persons, and if they have been nominated by the commissioner. The majority of the council members shall be persons who, for purposes of this section self-identify as deaf community members, late-deafened deaf, deaf or hard of hearing. Every reasonable effort shall be made to include an equal number of deaf community members, late-deafened deaf, deaf and hard of hearing members. Each member shall serve for a term of two years.
The commissioner shall nominate persons whose service will assure representation of the interests of parents, interpreters, the deaf community, late-deafened deaf persons, deaf and hard of hearing persons from all geographic areas of the commonwealth. The commissioner's nominations shall be from a list provided by consumer groups and individuals representing such late-deafened deaf, deaf and hard of hearing persons, as well as parents and interpreters.
Advisory council members shall elect a chairperson, shall meet at least eight times per year, and shall serve without compensation. They shall be reimbursed for expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 196 - Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; Interpreter Referral Service

Section 196. The commission shall maintain and coordinate a statewide interpreter referral service for use by any public and private agencies and individuals for any situations including emergencies.
Departments and agencies of the commonwealth and other public and private agencies and individuals shall reimburse the commission where so required by the commission's regulations for the compensation and travel expenses of any interpreter appointed by the commission pursuant to this section, but said departments, agencies and individuals shall not reimburse the commission for indirect costs or fringe benefits paid to such interpreter. The commission is authorized to treat reimbursements of prior year expenditures for the services of interpreters as reimbursements of current year expenditures for such services. The commission may charge a fee where so required by the commission's regulations for the cost of maintaining an emergency referral service, but no part of such fee shall be assessed to a hearing-impaired individual. Monies collected under the provisions of this section shall be retained by the commission in a revolving fund or funds, and shall be expended subject to the approval of the secretary of the executive office of human services and the state comptroller to purchase interpreter services; provided, however, that the commission shall provide quarterly reports to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing the amounts of revenues received or expended under this section. A fund established pursuant to this section shall be subject to an audit by the state auditor, in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards, as often as the state auditor determines is necessary.
The commission is authorized to work with the board of regents, the department of education and private institutions to insure ongoing interpreter educational programs designed to increase the number of competent interpreters.
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 7 of chapter 268A, a state employee who is approved by the commission for the deaf and hard of hearing as an interpreter may be employed by the commission or by other state agencies as long as the interpreter services will be provided outside of the normal working hours of the employee, the services are not required as part of the regular duties of the employee, the employee does not participate in or have official responsibility for the financial management of the contracting agency, the employee is compensated for no more than four hours in any day in which the employee is otherwise compensated by the commonwealth, and the head of the contracting agency files with the state ethics commission a written certification that there is a critical need for the services of the employee.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 197 - Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; Telecommunication Devices; Rental, Lease or Sale

Section 197. Subject to the appropriation of funds therefor, the commission shall purchase, pursuant to sections fifty-one and fifty-two of chapter thirty, telecommunication devices for the deaf and shall rent, lease or sell such equipment to persons certified by the commission pursuant to its regulations as deaf or severely hard of hearing, at terms or prices which are fair and reasonable; provided, however, that no such device shall be sold by the commission at a price less than one-half of the wholesale market price of such device prevailing at the time of sale. The commission shall promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this section. Such regulations shall include a schedule of fees to be charged for such rentals or sales and shall be based upon a consideration of the circumstances, need and annual income of the deaf or severely hard of hearing person seeking such equipment. Monies collected under the provisions of this section shall be retained by the commission in a revolving fund or revolving funds, and shall be expended subject to the approval of the secretary of the executive office of health and human services and the state comptroller to purchase telecommunication devices for the deaf; provided that the commission shall provide quarterly reports to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing the amounts of revenues received or expended under this section. A fund established pursuant to this section shall be subject to an audit by the state auditor, in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards, as often as the state auditor determines is necessary.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 198 - Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; Advice to Other Agencies; Provision of Requested Resources

Section 198. In order to facilitate appropriate delivery of state services to deaf and hard of hearing individuals the commission shall advise other agencies of the needs of deaf and hard of hearing persons and shall, subject to appropriation, provide such resources as other agencies reasonably request.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 199 - Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; Records; Confidentiality

Section 199. All records pertaining to clients and applicants of the commission and all personal and medical information or records given or made available to the commission, including but not limited to, names and addresses of clients and applicants, shall be confidential and for the exclusive use of the commission in the discharge of its duties. Notwithstanding any other general or special law to the contrary, the commission may publish information in statistical form without disclosing the identity of the clients or applicants involved.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 205 - Office for Refugees and Immigrants

Section 205. There is hereby established an office for refugees and immigrants under the exclusive supervision and control of a director who shall be appointed by the secretary of health and human services with the approval of the governor. The purpose of the office is to promote the full participation of refugees and immigrants as self-sufficient individuals and families in the economic, social, and civic life of the commonwealth.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 206 - State Refugee Coordinator; Duties; Salary; Hours; Appointment of Employees

Section 206. The director shall be the state refugee coordinator pursuant to the federal Refugee Act of 1980 (P.L. 96–212, March 17, 1980), as it may be amended or succeeded. The director shall also have primary responsibility for the administration of programs and services pursuant to the federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (P.L. 99–603, November 6, 1986), as it may be amended or succeeded.
The position of director shall be classified in accordance with section forty-five of chapter thirty, and the salary shall be determined in accordance with section forty-six C of said chapter thirty. The director shall devote full time during business hours to the duties of the office. The director shall be authorized, subject to appropriation, to appoint and may remove such assistant directors and such other employees and consultants as may be necessary to perform the functions of the office set forth in section two hundred and seven. The provisions of chapter thirty-one shall not apply to the director, to such assistant directors as the director may appoint, or to such supervisory positions as the director may create.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 207 - Powers of Office

Section 207. The office shall have the following powers: (a) to plan, coordinate, monitor, and administer programs that provide transitional assistance to refugees and immigrants and that lead to durable self-sufficiency; (b) to encourage in refugees and immigrants an understanding of American government and institutions and the rights and responsibilities of residents and citizens and to encourage those who wish to remain in the United States to become citizens; (c) to coordinate the commonwealth's policies and programs for refugees and immigrants including those administered by other state agencies; (d) to promote the accessibility of public services to refugees and immigrants; (e) to ascertain the needs of local communities with significant populations of refugees and immigrants and to work with local officials and community-based organizations to address those needs; (f) to increase the availability and utilization of qualified interpreter services; (g) to promulgate, pursuant to the provisions of chapter thirty A, rules and regulations; (h) to enter into agreements or contracts with other public or private agencies or units of local, county, or state government for the delivery and/or coordination of services to refugees and immigrants or for other statutorily-authorized purposes; provided, however, that no responsibility of the department of transitional assistance under chapter 118 or of the division of medical assistance under chapter 118E shall be transferred to the office; (i) to administer federal monies received by the commonwealth for services to refugees and immigrants; provided, however, that other state agencies also may receive and administer federal monies for such purposes within their jurisdictions; provided, further, that state funds shall not be used by the office to supplement federal funding if such funding is withdrawn; (j) to seek and receive grants or donations from private sources to carry out any of the office's functions and purposes; (k) to impose reasonable charges for any services rendered or materials furnished; and (l) to perform such other functions that are consistent with the purpose of the office.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 6 - The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Council, Certain Officers Under the Governor and Council, and State Library › Section 208a - Office for Refugees and Immigrants Trust Fund

Section 208A. There shall be an Office for Refugees and Immigrants Trust Fund to be administered by the director of the office for refugees and immigrants. The director shall appoint the trustee of the fund, who shall serve until a successor is appointed. There shall be credited to the trust grants, bequests, gifts or contributions of cash or securities and contributions of services or property in kind from persons or other governmental, nongovernmental, quasi-governmental or local governmental entities made for the purpose of supporting the office for refugees and immigrants. Expenditures from the fund shall not be subject to appropriation and balances remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund. Expenditures from the fund shall be made only for the following purposes: (i) operating costs of the office for refugees and immigrants, including the divisions and programs within the office; (ii) costs related to carrying out the powers of the office under section 207; and (iii) costs associated with refugee and immigrant-related programs, grants and initiatives of the director. For the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt by the fund of revenues and related expenditures, the fund may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify payments from the fund in anticipation of fund receipts based on estimated receipts as certified by the trustee. The trustee shall ensure that no expenditures from the fund shall cause the fund to be in deficiency at the close of a fiscal year.