SECTION 1. The introductory paragraph of section 4A of chapter 7 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:- The executive office shall also include an office of access and opportunity.

SECTION 2. Said section 4A of said chapter 7, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after paragraph (e) the following paragraph:-

(f) The office of access and opportunity shall be headed by an assistant secretary for access and opportunity who shall be appointed by the secretary with the approval of the governor. The assistant secretary shall be a person who has at least 5 years experience in the area of civil rights or diversity and inclusion efforts. The office shall: (1) promote non-discrimination and equal opportunity in all aspects of executive agency decision-making and operations, including but not limited to, employment activity, procurement activity, policymaking and implementation and access to executive agency services; (2) review and recommend improvements to executive agency programs, activities and services to ensure that said programs, activities and services are administered in a non-discriminatory manner; (3) review and recommend improvements to executive agency programs, activities and services to foster economic opportunity for all persons; and (4) with the approval of the secretary, take administrative actions, including but not limited to, promulgating administrative bulletins and other policy guidance to promote and ensure nondiscrimination and equal opportunity in the policies, services, programs and activities of executive agencies. The office shall report annually the results of its effort to the chairs of the joint committee on state administration and regulatory oversight.