Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women

This is a state performance audit of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women covering July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2015.

“This report details the audit objectives, scope, and methodology for the audit period, July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2015.”

Auditors looked at whether commissioner appointments, recommendations of women for government positions, and board meetings were handled properly.

“In this performance audit, we examined certain MCSW activities related to the appointment of its commissioners, its identification and recommendation of qualified women for appointive positions at all levels of government, and the conduct of its board meetings.”

The commission is meant to give women across Massachusetts a standing voice in state government and public policy.

“The Commission exists to provide a permanent, effective voice for women across Massachusetts.”

For residents, the commission is a public resource on women’s issues and helps promote women’s participation in government roles.

“Provide referrals and serve as a resource of information on issues pertaining to women;”

The auditor concluded that, aside from the Open Meeting Law certification issue, the commission had proper controls and followed applicable rules in the reviewed areas.

“Based on our audit, except for the Open Meeting Law certification deficiency detailed in the “Other Matters” section of this report, we have concluded that for the period July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2015, MCSW had established adequate controls and complied with applicable laws and regulations for the areas we reviewed.”

The commission said it would create procedures so board members sign required Open Meeting Law forms and the commission keeps those forms on file.

“As a result of our audit, MCSW is establishing policies and procedures that will require all board members, upon receiving required information about the state’s Open Meeting Law, to certify their receipt of these materials in writing.”

The report is significant because it found no major problems in the audited areas, but it also identified a compliance step the commission needed to fix.

“Although this matter was not part of the audit objectives, during our review of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women’s (MCSW’s) records, the Office of the State Auditor (OSA) determined that the commission did not have on file certifications from its board members indicating that they had received copies of the Commonwealth’s Open Meeting Law (Sections 18–25 of Chapter 30A of the Massachusetts General Laws) and related materials.”

The Open Meeting Law certification is written proof that public board members received required information about open meeting rules.

“Within 2 weeks of qualification for office, all persons serving on a public body shall certify, on a form prescribed by the attorney general, the receipt of a copy of the open meeting law, regulations promulgated under section 25 and a copy of the educational materials prepared by the attorney general explaining the open meeting law and its application under section 19.”