Executive Order  No. 465: Establishing the Governor's Integrated Criminal Justice Planning Council

WHEREAS, the realities of the post-September 11th world make this a critical and opportune time for enhanced cross-agency information sharing to better protect the citizens of the Commonwealth;

WHEREAS, as a result of the growing number of criminal cases, the increasing complexity of the criminal justice system and the requirements for improving homeland security, the Cross Agency Information Sharing Subcommittee of the Governor's Commission on Criminal Justice Innovation was established to address criminal justice information integration among criminal justice agencies; and

WHEREAS, despite the significant progress that has been made to date the development of an integrated criminal justice information system (ICJIS) in Massachusetts must be accelerated by establishing a formal governance body to coordinate the development of the ICJIS.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mitt Romney, Governor of the Commonwealth, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Supreme Executive Magistrate, do hereby order as follows:

Section 1. There is hereby established the Governor's Integrated Criminal Justice Planning Council (the "Council"). The Council shall evaluate current systems, practices and policies within the criminal justice and criminal justice-affiliated agencies and shall be responsible for the overall leadership, policy and strategic direction of the integrated justice system. The Council shall recommend a plan for the development and implementation of a cost-effective, integrated justice information system among criminal justice agencies in the Commonwealth. The system will integrate all criminal offender record information and other information relevant to sentencing, probation and community corrections held by the various criminal justice agencies.

Section 2. The Council shall include the following members: the Chief Justice of Administration and Management, the Attorney General, a sheriff, a district attorney, the Undersecretary for Forensic Services within the Executive Office of Public Safety, the Executive Director of the Criminal History Systems Board and the Chief Information Officer of the Commonwealth or their designees. The Secretary of Public Safety shall serve as Chair and the Secretary of Administration and Finance shall serve as Co-Chair of the Council. The Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services; the Commissioner of Probation; the Commissioner of the Department of Correction; the Chairperson of the Massachusetts Parole Board; the Commissioner of the Department of Youth Services; the Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; the Registrar of Motor Vehicles; the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts; the Commissioner of the Boston Police Department; a Massachusetts Chief of Police; or their designees shall act as advisory, non-voting members to the Council. All members shall serve without compensation in an advisory capacity and at the pleasure of the Governor.

Section 3. The Chair, in consultation with the Council, may establish subcommittees necessary for the Council to meet its mandates, including but not limited to a subcommittee for operations and for information technology standards and compliance. Such subcommittees may include both members of the Council and other persons with subject matter expertise.

Section 4. In addition to complying with the statutory requirements of G.L. c. 6A, § 18 3/4, the Council's plan for an integrated system shall be all-encompassing, including a review of business procedures, functional and technical requirements and standards for the collection, transmission and security of information to the criminal justice community throughout the Commonwealth. The Council's plan shall include a funding proposal outlining all fiscal implications and sources of the plan. This funding proposal must be reviewed by the Executive Office for Administration and Finance, the Programs Division of the Executive Office of Public Safety and the Information and Technology Division of the Commonwealth.

Section 5. All affected agencies, departments and boards of the Commonwealth shall fully cooperate with the Council. The Council may call and rely upon the expertise and services of individuals and entities outside of its membership for research, advice, support or other functions necessary and appropriate to further accomplish its mission.

Section 6. The Council shall submit a proposed plan for an integrated criminal justice information system to the Secretary of Public Safety pursuant to G.L. c. 6A, § 18 3/4 no later than six months from the date of enactment of this order for his review and approval. The Secretary shall then submit final recommendations on this plan to the Governor. The Council will continue to meet and address project needs as determined by the Chair and Co- Chair.

Section 7. The Council shall meet at such times and places as determined by the Chair or Co-Chair but no less than monthly. The subcommittees of the Council shall carry out their functions as directed by the Council.

Section 8. This Executive Order shall continue in effect until amended, superseded, or revoked by subsequent Executive Order.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston this 15th day of February in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the Independence of the United States of America two hundred and twenty eight.

MITT ROMNEY, GOVERNOR
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

William Francis Galvin
Secretary of the Commonwealth