Audit of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (June 12, 2025)
June 12, 2025 · Massachusetts Life Sciences Center · Read the full official report on mass.gov ↗
Published June 12, 2025 Audit covers July 1, 2021 – December 31, 2023 Under Diana DiZoglio · 2023–present
source
“Below is a summary of our findings, the effects of those findings, and our recommendations, with links to each page listed.”
Read the plain-English breakdown
This is a state performance audit of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center covering July 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 Life Sciences Center (MLSC) for the period July 1, 2021 through December 31, 2023.”
Auditors checked whether MLSC properly ran its high school internship program, filed required annual reports, and made its website accessible.
“The purpose of this performance audit was to determine whether MLSC’s administration of the High School Apprenticeship Challenge (HSAC) program was in compliance with Section 6(c)(5) of Chapter 23I of the General Laws.”
The issues matter because public programs meant for low-income and underrepresented students may not work as intended if eligibility and reporting are not handled properly.
“This consumes resources that are dedicated to the students this program is intended to serve, potentially displacing eligible students in order to serve ineligible ones.”
The auditor concluded MLSC did not fully meet the tested requirements for the internship program, annual reports, or website accessibility.
“MLSC’s website was not fully accessible.”
MLSC said it has made changes, and the auditor plans to check back after the audit.
“As part of our post-audit review process, we will follow up on this matter in approximately six months.”
The audit is significant because it points to fairness, oversight, and accessibility problems in a state-created life sciences agency.
“If MLSC does not submit its annual reports to the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means on time, then these governing bodies may not have the information necessary to adequately review MLSC’s funding and activities for the preceding year.”
HSAC means the High School Apprenticeship Challenge, an internship program for high school students interested in life sciences work.
“The High School Apprenticeship Challenge (HSAC)5 is a program that MLSC offers, which started in 2016 and exists to help MLSC achieve Clause 5 of Section 6(c) of Chapter 23I of the General Laws.6”
What the Auditor checked
- Did not comply Did MLSC administer the High School Apprenticeship Challenge (HSAC) program in compliance with Section 6(c)(5) of Chapter 23I of the General Laws?
- Did not comply Did MLSC prepare and submit the annual report in compliance with Section 6(c)(9) of Chapter 23I of the General Laws?
- Did not comply Did MLSC’s website adhere to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 for user accessibility, keyboard accessibility, navigation accessibility, language, error identification, and color accessibility?
What the Auditor found
Why it matters: Ineligible students could receive program resources intended for underrepresented and low-income high school students, potentially displacing eligible students.
Standard: MLSC’s eligibility requirements for the High School Apprenticeship Challenge and Section 6(c)(5) of Chapter 23I of the General Laws. ( Section 6(c)(5) of Chapter 23I of the General Laws; MLSC eligibility requirements )
2 recommendations
- MLSC should ensure that all students apply through the centralized MLSC Application system.agency: already implemented
- MLSC should ensure that students are sufficiently screened for eligibility before being allowed to participate in an internship through the HSAC program.agency: already implemented
Agency response & Auditor reply
Agency: "Beginning in 2024, MLSC requires that all interns complete an MLSC application regardless of host organization or recruitment method."
Auditor: "Based on its response, MLSC has taken measures to address our concerns regarding this matter."
Why it matters: The House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means may not have timely information needed to review MLSC’s funding and activities, which could affect funding decisions and MLSC’s mission.
Standard: Section 6(c)(9) of Chapter 23I of the Massachusetts General Laws required MLSC to file an annual report by December 1. ( Section 6(c)(9) of Chapter 23I of the Massachusetts General Laws )
1 recommendation
- MLSC should develop and implement policies and procedures, including a monitoring component, to ensure that annual reports are delivered no later than the December 1 deadline.
Agency response & Auditor reply
Agency: "MLSC is implementing a standard operating procedures and policies regarding the preparation, review and filing of the annual report which includes review by the Finance Team, Legal Team, Government Relations Team and the President and [Chief Executive Officer] to monitor and ensure compliance."
Auditor: "Based on its response, MLSC has taken measures to address our concerns regarding this matter."
Why it matters: Users may have difficulty accessing accurate information and services, and users relying on keyboard navigation may have to move through repeated content on every webpage.
Standard: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Success Criteria 2.4.1 and 2.4.5. ( Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Success Criterion 2.4.1; Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Success Criterion 2.4.5 )
2 recommendations
- MLSC should review its webpages to ensure that all hyperlinks lead to related information and provide equitable access to critical MLSC-offered information and services.agency: already implemented
- MLSC should work with its website accessibility vendor to add a mechanism to its website that allows users to skip repeated content.agency: already implemented
Agency response & Auditor reply
Agency: "All pages of the MLSC website have since been brought into compliance with all applicable state and federal accessibility laws and regulations."
Auditor: "Based on its response, MLSC has taken measures to address our concerns regarding this matter."
More audits of this entity
Other Office of the State Auditor reports on Massachusetts Life Sciences Center .
- Audit of the Massachusetts Life Sciences CenterOther · February 14, 2018