Code of Massachusetts Regulations 965 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF STATE AUDITOR
Here’s a detailed overview of 965 CMR — the regulations governing the Department of the State Auditor in Massachusetts:
📘 What is 965 CMR?
965 CMR is the section of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations that contains regulations promulgated by the Office of the State Auditor, managed by the Trial Court Law Libraries (mass.gov).
Primary Subtitles:
965 CMR 2.00 – Fair Information Practices Act
Covers definitions, access rights to personal data, administrative responsibilities of information officers, enforcement procedures, appeal rights, and disclosure rules to the Attorney General’s office (law.cornell.edu).
**965 CMR 3.00 – Safeguard of Personal Information**
Outlines security measures for protecting personal and sensitive information held by state agencies (sections 3.01–3.04).
(Specifics can be explored via official or legal resources.)
965 CMR 4.00 – Calculation of Privatization Threshold
Establishes how the annual threshold amount is adjusted for defining when a contract qualifies as a privatization contract under M.G.L. c. 7, § 52 et seq. It includes definitions, calculation formulas using the Consumer Price Index, historical tables, and access instructions (regulations.justia.com, mass.gov).
🔍 Focus: 965 CMR 4.00 – How the Threshold is Calculated
Purpose: Adjust the dollar threshold that triggers public-audit requirements for service contracts as inflation changes.
Mechanism:
Based on the Consumer Price Index (All Urban Consumers, U.S. average; months Dec–Nov).
Calculate percent change from the previous year.
Apply this percentage to last year’s threshold.
Ensures the threshold never falls below the base of $500,000 (mass.gov, law.cornell.edu).
Example from the rule:
CPI-PY = 217.828; CPI-CY = 224.385 → 3.01% increase
→ Threshold increases from $508,775 to $524,091 effective Jan 1 following year (mass.gov, mass.gov).
Transparency: The State Auditor’s office posts the updated threshold annually on their website and can be contacted for current figures (mass.gov).
🛠️ Summary Table
| 965 CMR Section | Title | Content Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 2.00 | Fair Information Practices Act | Definitions, access, enforcement, appeals, data disclosure |
| 3.00 | Safeguard of Personal Information | Security standards for personal data |
| 4.00 | Calculation of Privatization Threshold | CPI index calc, annual updates, threshold floor, reporting |
📌 Why It Matters
Fair Info Practices (2.00 & 3.00): Sets obligations for state agencies to properly protect and manage personal data—crucial for privacy compliance.
Privatization Threshold (4.00): Ensures that as inflation raises costs, public contracts still undergo proper oversight, preserving accountability in privatized services.
🔗 Need More?
Full texts of each section are available on Mass.gov
– e.g., 965 CMR 2.00 and 4.00 (PDFs and summaries) (mass.gov, sec.state.ma.us).
For current threshold figures, contact the State Auditor’s Office.
For legal interpretation—especially of Info Practices and Safeguards—consult an attorney or refer to the official compiled regulations.
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