Bill > H2292

This bill aims to reform civil service exams for public safety positions, particularly law enforcement, in order to promote diversity and reduce barriers in the hiring and promotion process. Key provisions include: - Establishing an Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity (ODEO) to oversee affirmative action and diversity plans for all state agencies. - Creating a Peace Officer Exam Review Advisory Board to review and implement best practices for exams, recruitment, and hiring of police officers across the state. - Allowing candidates scoring within an 8-point band of the highest score to be considered equally qualified for appointment or promotion, rather than solely relying on the top scorer. - Requiring posting of all job openings and vacancies for police, MBTA, and state police positions. - Establishing a police cadet program to provide training and a pathway to permanent employment as a police officer. The overall goal is to make the hiring and promotion process for public safety roles more equitable and reflective of the diversity within the communities these agencies serve.

Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H2292