Massachusetts § 9 - Employees of department; delegation of responsibilities

Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 9 — Employees of department; delegation of responsibilities, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 9. Employees of department; delegation of responsibilities

Section 9. The commissioner shall appoint and may remove all employees in the department. All such appointments and removals shall be made in accordance with chapter thirty-one except as provided in section seven of chapter thirty and except for superintendents and assistant superintendents in charitable, medical or other institutions, physicians with full medical responsibility as opposed to administrative responsibility, nurses and nursing attendants in such institutions; provided, however, that whenever, as a condition of receiving federal grants for programs and activities to which the federal standards for a merit system of personnel administration relate, federal requirements make necessary the application of the civil service law and rules to any such position, said position shall be subject to chapter thirty-one. Appointments, promotions or transfers, except transfers to positions with substantially identical authority, duties and responsibility, shall be made only after determination by the personnel administrator that the proposed appointee meets the minimum qualifications required.

The commissioner may delegate all or a portion of his responsibilities as appointing authority under section forty-one of chapter thirty-one to one or more subordinates in the department. The decision of an employee to whom responsibility has been so delegated shall be the decision of the appointing authority.

Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 9

What does Massachusetts General Laws § 9 cover?

Section 9 ("Employees of department; delegation of responsibilities") is part of the Massachusetts General Laws, the codified statutory law of Massachusetts. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Massachusetts § 9?

A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 9" (Massachusetts). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Massachusetts law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Massachusetts official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney.

How does Massachusetts § 9 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Massachusetts can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.