Section 130.03 - Application Assistant Certification(1) All Application Assistants must be certified by the Program to participate in this Program.(2) Application Assistant certification will only be granted when the prospective Application Assistant: (a) is an employee of a state or local agency, or of a nonprofit program that provides counseling, referral, shelter or other specialized service to survivors of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault or stalking and has been designated by the agency to be an Application Assistant;(b) successfully completes Program orientation and training sessions provided by the Program;(c) completes an application to be an Application Assistant which includes the applicant's name, address, service provider or agency, supervisor's name, relevant qualifications;(d) agrees to adhere to the policies, procedures and directions of the Program; and,(e) agrees to adhere to the instructions and terms provided in the Application Assistant Agreement.(3) Application Assistant certification shall be valid for two years, unless terminated sooner pursuant to 950 CMR 130.03(6).(4) The Application Assistant agrees not to discriminate against any applicant, or potential Program Participant, because of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or mental, physical or sensory disability.(5) An Application Assistant is not an employee or agent of the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth or the Program. The Application Assistant will not hold themselves out as, nor claim to be an officer or employee of the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth or the Program simply because a person is a Program Application Assistant and will not make any claim, demand, or application to or for any right or privilege applicable to an officer or employee of the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth or the Program.(6) An Application Assistant's Program certification is terminated if the Application Assistant leaves the employ of the sponsoring state or local agency or nonprofit program and may be terminated by the Program for failing to abide by any requirement in 950 CMR 130.03(2)(d) and (e) or for failing to act in accordance with written policies and procedures of the Program.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1498, eff. 6/23/2023.