Executive Order  No. 50: Establishing the Vocational Rehabilitation Planning Commission

WHEREAS, the enactment of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1965 has created a singular opportunity to identify current and long-term vocational rehabilitation needs and resources of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through Federal support of a comprehensive planning project; and

WHEREAS, there is required the designation of an "appropriate State agency" to carry out this planning; and

WHEREAS, such planning project must be administered and supervised by a body which includes representation of professional and lay leadership in the Commonwealth and representation of all groups having a significant concern about vocational rehabilitation services in Massachusetts:

NOW, THEREFORE, I hereby order as follows:

1. The Vocational Rehabilitation Planning Commission hereinafter called the Commission, is hereby established.

2. Pursuant to 29 U.S.C. 34 (a) (2) B as amended by Section 4 (a) (2) of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1965 (Public Law 89-333), the Commission shall be the agency to carry out this comprehensive statewide planning effort, hereinafter called the Planning Project.

3. The Commission shall consist of at least twenty-five persons to be appointed by the Governor who shall be broadly representative of professional and lay leadership in the Commonwealth and of groups having a significant concern about vocational rehabilitation services in Massachusetts. The Governor shall designate the Chairman of the Commission.

4. The Commission shall:

a. apply for a statewide planning grant

b. make rules and regulations for its organization

c. receive such grant

d. contract for the necessary consulting services for the planning project

e. supervise and administer the Planning Project

f. call, in its discretion, on any or all state agencies, officials, boards, and commissions for cooperation and assistance as it deems necessary for the performance of its duties under this order.

g. appoint expert task forces to assist and advise the Planning Project, and h. submit any preliminary reports and the final report of the Planning Project to the Governor.

5. Unless extended by a subsequent executive order the Commission and the Planning Project shall cease to exist at the time that the final report of the Planning Project is submitted to the Governor.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston this fourth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and sixty-six and of the Independence of the United States of America, the one hundred and ninetieth.

JOHN A. VOLPE
Governor
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
 

KEVIN H. WHITE
Secretary of the Commonwealth