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March 28, 2024 Rain | 47°F
The 193rd General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Section 151E: Interstate commission; powers and duties

Section 151E. The interstate commission shall have the following powers and duties:—

(a) to adopt a seal and suitable by-laws governing the management and operation of the interstate commission;

(b) to promulgate rules which shall have the force and effect of statutory law and shall be binding in the compacting states to the extent and in the manner provided in this compact;

(c) to oversee, supervise and coordinate the interstate movement of offenders subject to the terms of this compact and any by-laws adopted and rules promulgated by the compact commission;

(d) to enforce compliance with compact provisions, interstate commission rules, and by-laws, using all necessary and proper means including, but not limited to, the use of judicial process;

(e) to establish and maintain offices;

(f) to purchase and maintain insurance and bonds;

(g) to borrow, accept or contract for services of personnel including, but not limited to, members and their staffs;

(h) to establish and appoint committees and hire staff which it deems necessary for the carrying out of its functions including, but not limited to, an executive committee as required by section 151C, which shall have the power to act on behalf of the interstate commission in carrying out its powers and duties hereunder;

(i) to elect or appoint such officers, attorneys, employees, agents, or consultants, and to fix the compensation, define the duties and determine the qualifications thereof; and to establish the interstate commission's personnel policies and programs relating to, among other things, conflicts of interest, rates of compensation and qualifications of personnel;

(j) to accept any and all donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services, and to receive, utilize and dispose of same;

(k) to lease, purchase, accept contributions or donations of, or to otherwise own, hold, improve or use any property, real, personal or mixed;

(l) to sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon or otherwise dispose of any property, real, personal or mixed;

(m) to establish a budget and make expenditures and levy dues as provided in section 151J;

(n) to sue and be sued;

(o) to provide for dispute resolution among compacting states;

(p) to perform such functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this compact;

(q) to report annually to the legislatures, governors, judiciary and state councils of the compacting states concerning the activities of the interstate commission during the preceding year. Such reports shall also include any recommendations that may have been adopted by the interstate commission;

(r) to coordinate education, training and public awareness regarding the interstate movement of offenders for officials involved in such activity; and

(s) to establish uniform standards for the reporting, collecting and exchanging of data.