MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2005 FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE DEPARTMENTS, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, INSTITUTIONS AND CERTAIN ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMONWEALTH, FOR INTEREST, SINKING FUND AND SERIAL BOND REQUIREMENTS AND FOR CERTAIN PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS

 

 

Whereas, the deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is immediately to make appropriations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2004, and to make certain changes in law, each of which is immediately necessary or appropriate to effectuate said appropriations or for other important public purposes, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.

 

 

 

 

To provide for the maintenance of the several departments, boards, commissions and institutions and other services, and for certain permanent improvements and to meet certain requirements of law, the sums set forth in sections 2, 2B, 2D and 3, for the several purposes and subject to the conditions specified in sections 2, 2B, 2D and 3, are hereby appropriated from the General Fund unless specifically designated otherwise, subject to the provisions of law regulating the disbursement of public funds and the approval thereof for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005.  All sums appropriated under this act, including supplemental and deficiency budgets, shall be expended in a manner reflecting and encouraging a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for members of minority groups, women and handicapped persons.  All officials and employees of an agency, board, department, commission or division receiving monies under this act shall take affirmative steps to ensure equality of opportunity in the internal affairs of state government, as well as in their relations with the public, including those persons and organizations doing business with the commonwealth.  Each agency, board, department, commission or division, in spending appropriated sums and discharging its statutory responsibilities, shall adopt measures to ensure equal opportunity in the areas of hiring, promotion, demotion or transfer, recruitment, layoff or termination, rates of compensation, in-service or apprenticeship training programs and all terms and conditions of employment.