The bill establishes a new chapter, CHAPTER 9.4, in Title 42 of the General Laws, creating the office of the Inspector General as an independent administrative agency. This office is charged with the responsibility to investigate, detect, and prevent fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds, whether federal, state, or local, and relating to any and all state programs and operations, as well as the procurement of supplies, services, or construction by various state entities.

The Inspector General will be appointed for a five-year term by a majority vote of key state officials, including the governor, attorney general, general treasurer, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, speaker and minority leader of the house of representatives, and president and minority leader of the senate. The appointee must possess relevant experience in areas such as accounting, auditing, financial analysis, law, management analysis, public administration, investigation, and criminal justice administration.

The bill outlines the powers and responsibilities of the Inspector General, which include supervising, coordinating, and conducting audits, criminal, civil, and administrative investigations, and inspections. The Inspector General is also authorized to issue subpoenas for the production of records and documents relevant to investigations.

The appointment and removal processes for the Inspector General and their staff are detailed, ensuring that they cannot hold or be candidates for any other elective or appointed public office during their tenure and for one year prior. The bill mandates the establishment of an anonymous hotline for reporting potential wrongdoings and emphasizes the confidentiality of complaints, particularly from individuals seeking anonymity.

Additionally, the Inspector General is required to report any reasonable grounds for believing there has been a violation of federal or state criminal law to the attorney general or the United States Attorney. The Inspector General may also coordinate with other state agencies to share information and avoid duplication of efforts.

Annual and interim reports summarizing the office's activities, including significant issues and recommendations, are required to be prepared and forwarded to key state officials and made available to the public, while maintaining the anonymity of individuals involved in ongoing investigations.