Audit of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (December 27, 2024)

This is a state performance audit of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women covering January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2023.

“In accordance with Section 12 of Chapter 11 of the Massachusetts General Laws, the Office of the State Auditor has conducted a performance audit of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) for the period January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2023.”

Auditors checked whether the commission filed required annual reports, collected Open Meeting Law certifications, and ensured commissioners completed Conflict of Interest Law training.

“The purpose of our audit was to determine whether MCSW complied with the annual reporting requirements on the results of its findings, activities, and recommendations of the preceding year on matters concerning women; developed and implemented policies and procedures to ensure that newly appointed and reappointed commissioners provided MCSW with signed Certificates of Receipt of Open Meeting Law materials as required by Section 20(h) of Chapter 30 of the General Laws; and ensured that MCSW newly appointed and reappointed commissioners completed the Conflict of Interest Law online training course1 as required by Section 28 of Chapter 268A of the General Laws.”

Late reports can leave state leaders without timely information they need to review the commission’s work and recommendations.

“If MCSW does not submit its annual reports to the Governor and the clerks of the House of Representatives and Senate on time, then these governing bodies will not have the information necessary to adequately review MCSW’s findings and activities for the preceding year.”

The commission’s work is meant to support women and girls across Massachusetts, so weak reporting or training oversight can affect public accountability around that mission.

“The purpose of the Commission is to advance women and girls toward full equity in all areas of life and to promote rights and opportunities for all women and girls.”

The audit found three compliance problems: late annual reports, missing or late Open Meeting Law documentation and training, and missing or late Conflict of Interest Law training.

“Below is a summary of our findings, the effects of those findings, and our recommendations, with links to each page listed.”

The commission said it is updating procedures and tracking systems, and the auditor plans to check back in about six months.

“As part of our post-audit review process, we will follow up on this matter in approximately six months.”

The findings are significant because they point to oversight gaps in an independent state agency whose role includes advising government and advocating on issues affecting women and girls.

“This could negatively affect MCSW’s ability to identify issues and advocate for legislation to advance the interests of women and girls in the Commonwealth.”

The Open Meeting Law rules are meant to make sure public officials understand meeting transparency requirements; the Conflict of Interest Law training is meant to help officials avoid ethical problems when public duties and private interests overlap.

“The training program provides employees who are subject to the Conflict of Interest Law with information on how the law governs situations where their public responsibilities conflict with personal interests.”