Audit of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW)

This is a state performance audit of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women covering July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019.

“This report details the audit objectives, scope, methodology, findings, and recommendations for the audit period, July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019.”

The auditor checked whether the commission had the required 19 members, followed the Open Meeting Law, completed conflict-of-interest training requirements, and kept regional commission bylaws up to date.

“The purpose of our audit was to determine whether MCSW had a fully appointed 19-member commission as required by Section 66(1) of Chapter 3 of the General Laws, complied with Section 20(h) of Chapter 30 of the General Laws (the Open Meeting Law), ensured that its employees completed an online training program1 related to the state’s Conflict of Interest Law as required by Section 28 of Chapter 268A of the General Laws, and ensured that its 11 regional commissions had up-to-date bylaws.”

These rules matter because commissioners need to understand public meeting rules and ethics rules so they can serve transparently and avoid improper conduct.

“Without evidence that newly appointed or reappointed commissioners had received the Open Meeting Law educational materials within two weeks of qualifying for office, there was an elevated risk that board members were unaware of their responsibilities under the law.”

For ordinary residents, this audit is about whether a public body that advises on issues affecting women and girls is following basic transparency and ethics safeguards.

“The mission of the Commission is to provide a permanent, effective voice for women and girls across Massachusetts.”

The audit found two compliance problems: missing Open Meeting Law receipt certificates and missing proof of required Conflict of Interest Law training.

“MCSW did not ensure that all commissioners had completed the required Conflict of Interest Law training.”

The auditor recommended that the commission create or update policies so new and returning commissioners are clearly told what forms and training they must complete and when.

“MCSW should develop a policy informing newly appointed and reappointed commissioners that they are required to sign a Certificate of Receipt of Open Meeting Law Materials within two weeks of qualifying for office and provide a copy of the certificate to MCSW.”

The findings were administrative but important: the commission’s mission was not faulted, but its tracking of required ethics and public-meeting paperwork was incomplete.

“We did find some insignificant issues in this area, which we discussed with MCSW management.”

Conflict of Interest Law training is ethics training that explains how public workers should handle situations involving gifts, favoritism, personal financial interests, outside work, volunteering, business ownership, and political activity.

“The training explains how to recognize and properly address these situations.”