Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 15A § 45

Current through Chapter 223 of the 2024 Legislative Session

Section 15A:45 - Comprehensive training program for members of boards of trustees of public institutions of higher education

(a) The board shall establish and implement a comprehensive training program for members of the boards of trustees of public institutions of higher education under section 5. The board shall provide instruction and training to the members on the proper governance of a public institution of higher education. Instruction and training shall include, but not be limited to, an overview of:

(i) sections 18 to 25, inclusive, of chapter 30A;

(ii) clause Twenty-sixth of section 7 of chapter 4 and chapter 66;

(iii) chapters 268A and 268B;

(iv) state procurement laws;

(v) state finance provisions under chapter 29;

(vi) fraud prevention; and

(vii) fiduciary responsibilities. In developing instruction and training programs under this section, the board shall consult with the attorney general and the inspector general.

Members of a board of trustees of a public institutions of higher education shall complete the comprehensive training program within 4 years of the date of the member's last training; provided however, that the board shall establish a schedule that ensures that all appointed or elected members of the boards of trustees of said public institutions complete the comprehensive training program. Membership on a board of trustees of public institutions of higher education shall terminate and a vacancy shall exist if a member fails to complete the comprehensive training program within the period of time established by the board or fails to complete a training program within 4 years of the date of the member's last training. A vacancy on a board that exists as a result of this section shall be filled for the remainder of the term in the same manner as the prior appointment and be consistent with section 21 and section 1A of chapter 75. A vacancy on a board that exists as a result of this section shall be filled for the remainder of the term in the same manner as the prior appointment and shall be consistent with section 21 of this chapter and section 1A of chapter 75. The commissioner shall forthwith notify the governor if any such vacancy exists.

(b) Annually, each public institution of higher education shall post on its website the institution's financial report required pursuant to section 13 of chapter 73, however termed, together with a summary of the report in a format understandable by the general public.

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 15A, § 45

Amended by Acts 2022, c. 268,§ 7, eff. 11/10/2022.

Added by Acts 2019, c. 113,§ 1, eff. 11/14/2019.