Bill > H3521

This bill aims to reform civil service exams for law enforcement positions in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The key provisions include: 1. Establishing an Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity (ODEO) to oversee and enforce affirmative action and diversity plans for all state agencies, including the development of complaint resolution processes. 2. Creating a Peace Officer Exam Review Advisory Board to review and implement best practices for the recruitment, examination, appointment, promotion, and retention of state and municipal police officers, including the use of assessment centers, mentoring programs, and community involvement. 3. Modifying existing laws to allow for banding of test scores within an 8-point range for original appointment and promotion, so that candidates within that range are considered equally qualified. 4. Requiring the posting of all job openings and vacancies for police officer positions to increase transparency. 5. Establishing a police cadet training program to provide on-the-job experience for aspiring officers. The overall goal of the bill is to ensure that the state's public safety workforce reflects the diversity of the communities it serves, through a combination of recruitment, testing, and retention initiatives.

Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H3521