The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) is the Commonwealth's primary civil rights enforcement agency. The Commission investigates and resolves cases of discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodation, financial services, and education. The Commission enforces civil rights laws to ensure equality and opportunity for all residents of Massachusetts.

Objectives

In Fiscal Year 1998, MCAD will reduce its backlog of unresolved cases and utilize alternative dispute resolution methods to increase voluntary settlements. Using federal funding, the Commission will conduct tests to detect discrimination in the areas of mortgage lending and insurance services. The Commission will continue to implement the Commonwealth's Sexual Harassment, Education and Training in the Workplace Act.

Budget Recommendations

The amount recommended for Fiscal Year 1998 will enable the Commission to provide the same level of services as in Fiscal Year 1997.

Budgetary Direct Appropriations

MASSACHUSETTS COMMISSION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION
1150-5100	For the office of the Massachusetts commission against discrimination; provided, that all positions except clerical are exempted from the provisions of chapter thirty-one of the General Laws; and provided further, that the commission shall pursue the highest allowable rate of federal reimbursement	1,200,366

LOCAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONS SUPPORT
1150-5114	For the purpose of supporting the civil rights enforcement efforts of cities and towns through their local human rights commissions; provided, that funds made available herein shall be in addition to funds available in item 1150-5104	100,000

PROMPT PROCESSING OF PENDING MBTA CASES
1150-5115	For the prompt processing and resolution of all cases pending before the Massachusetts commission against discrimination which were filed on or before July first, nineteen hundred and ninety-three, and of all cases pending before the commission in which the Massachusetts bay transportation authority is named as a respondent	115,000

Budgetary Retained Revenues

FAIR HOUSING ASSISTANCE / EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY RETAINED REVENUE
1150-5104	The Massachusetts commission against discrimination is hereby authorized to expend an amount not to exceed one million five hundred thirty-three thousand three hundred forty-four dollars for the purposes of the housing and urban development fair housing type 1 program and the equal opportunity resolution contract program, from revenues collected through federal reimbursements received therefor; provided, that for the purposes of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, the commission may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate therefor as reported in the state accounting system; and provided further, that notwithstanding the provisions of section one of this act or any other general or special law to the contrary, federal reimbursements received in excess of one million five hundred thirty-three thousand three hundred forty-four dollars shall be credited to the General Fund	1,533,344

Federal Grant Spending

PROJECT REACT - FAIR HOUSING INITIATIVE
1150-5112	For the purposes of a federally funded grant entitled, Project React - Fair Housing Initiative	29,639