The bill amends Section 37-14.1-6 of the General Laws regarding Minority Business Enterprise participation in procurements and construction projects. It requires the Department of Administration to provide a list of certified minority and women-owned business enterprises to each prospective contractor. Waivers from compliance with this chapter will not be granted until after the contractor receives assistance from the Department of Administration.

Additionally, upon issuance of a waiver, the Department must make publicly available records of all waivers, which will include information identifying the contract, the contracting agency, the name of the contractor receiving the waiver, the date of the waiver, and the specific contract provisions to which the waiver applies.

Furthermore, any contracting agency that substantially fails to make a good faith effort to achieve maximum feasible participation of minority and women-owned business enterprises must submit a remedial action plan to the Director of the Department of Administration to address the failure. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5684: 37-14.1-6