The bill creates a new chapter, CHAPTER 9.4, in Title 42 of the General Laws, establishing the Office of Inspector General as an independent and nonpartisan administrative agency. The purpose of this office is to investigate the management and operation of state agencies to prevent and detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement of public funds that harms the public interest. The inspector general will be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate and must have at least ten years of relevant professional experience and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, public administration, law enforcement, accounting, or a related area. The bill outlines the powers and duties of the inspector general, including investigating allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, reporting findings to the governor and other relevant authorities, conducting special investigations at the request of the governor, and providing education to agencies on preventing misconduct.

The bill details specific procedures for the inspector general, such as consulting with relevant agencies before announcing decisions and allowing affected individuals to respond in writing. The inspector general will have the authority to access agency records, interview personnel, and issue subpoenas as necessary for investigations. It also establishes penalties for non-compliance with investigations and mandates annual reporting of activities and recommendations to the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, general treasurer, speaker of the house, president of the senate, and the auditor general, with reports made available to the public.

Additionally, the bill includes protections for whistleblowers, ensuring that no agency, officer, or official may take action against an individual for disclosing or threatening to disclose information regarding waste, fraud, or abuse unless the disclosure was made with knowledge of its falsity. The act will take effect upon passage.