Cooperation With Public Bodies and Private Entities

(1) Assistance to Entities. Upon request of a public body or private entity involved in the expenditure of public funds or use of public property, the Veteran Advocate may provide assistance, including the assignment of personnel, to assist such public body for the purpose of safeguarding the wellbeing, dignified treatment, rights, and benefits of veterans in the care of, or receiving services from the Commonwealth; ensuring these veterans and their families receive compassionate, timely, and effective services. (2) Development and Recommendation of Policy. The Veteran Advocate may recommend policies for the coordination of efforts by public and private bodies to safeguard the wellbeing, dignified treatment, rights, and benefits of veterans in the care of, or receiving services from the Commonwealth; ensuring these veterans and their families receive compassionate, timely, and effective services. The Veteran Advocate may convene ad hoc or ongoing committees or task forces composed of representatives of public bodies, private entities and individuals to advise and assist OVA in the development of policies or procedures related to this mission. (3) Coordination with Investigative or Law Enforcement Agencies. (a) To avoid duplication of effort and maximize utilization of resources, the Veteran Advocate may enter into memoranda of understanding or other agreements with local, state or federal investigative or law enforcement agencies. Such memoranda or agreements may involve, but are not limited to, matters such as information sharing, declination policy, cross designation of personnel, assignment to task forces or working groups, and coordinated or joint investigations on co-jurisdictional investigations, inspections, or audits. (b) Any memoranda or agreement entered under 123 CMR 2.11(3)(a) shall incorporate as a condition of agreement that any information, records or documents of the Office of the Veteran Advocate which are provided by OVA to the cooperating investigative or law enforcement agency shall be treated as confidential. (c) When records of the Office of the Veteran Advocate are shared during an investigation or audit with a cooperating investigative or law enforcement agency, officers, employees or agents of such agency shall be bound by all statutes, rules or regulations applicable to OVA regarding confidentiality of records, documents or testimony.