Session Laws

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 1 of chapter 12A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 1986 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the definition of "Supplies" and inserting in place thereof the following definition:-

"Supplies", all property, including but not limited to equipment, materials, printing, insurance, and real property.

SECTION 2. Section 7 of said chapter 12A, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 3, the word "in" and inserting in place thereof the words:- or relating to.

SECTION 3. Said chapter 12A is hereby further amended by striking out section 8, as so appearing, and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

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.

SECTION 4. Section 9 of said chapter 12A, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the first four paragraphs and inserting in place thereof the following four paragraphs:-

The inspector general in carrying out the provisions of this chapter shall have access to all records, reports, audits, reviews, papers, books, documents, recommendations, correspondence, including information relative to the purchase of services or anticipated purchase of services from any contractor by any public body, and any other data and material that is maintained by or available to any public body described in section seven which in any way relate to the programs and operations with respect to which the inspector general has duties and responsibilities except records under the provisions of section eighteen of chapter sixty-six as defined in section three of said chapter sixty-six.

He may request such information, cooperation and assistance from any state, county or local governmental agency as may be necessary for carrying out his duties and responsibilities. Upon receipt of such request each person in charge of, or the governing body of any public body described in section seven, shall furnish to the inspector general or his authorized agent or representative such information, cooperation and assistance, including information relative to the purchase of services or anticipated purchase of services from any contractor by any public body, except records under the provisions of section eighteen of chapter sixty-six as defined in section three of said chapter sixty-six.

He may make such investigations, audits and reports relating to the administration of the programs and operations of the applicable public bodies described in section seven, as are in the judgment of the inspector general necessary and may conduct an examination of any public documents.

He shall have direct and prompt access to the head of any public body described in section seven, when necessary for any purpose pertaining to the performance of his duties and responsibilities under this chapter.

SECTION 5. Section 14 of said chapter 12A, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out paragraph (a) and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-

(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.