SECTION 23. Affirmative action office; responsibilities; annual report

There shall be within the department of state police an office of affirmative action which shall report to the secretary of public safety; provided, that such office shall be responsible for implementing policies of nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action, as such policy relates to the employment practices of said department. Such office shall prepare, submit and review the affirmative action plan of said department.

All appointments and promotions made under the provisions of this chapter may take into consideration female and minority candidates for the positions of uniformed members, non-commissioned officers, commissioned officers, and staff officers.

Such office shall annually issue a report describing efforts undertaken by such office during the previous year to expand the pool of qualified women and minority candidates for enlistment to said department and to increase the promotional opportunities for said qualified women and minority candidates within said department; provided that such report be filed with the clerks of the house of representatives and senate on or before the first Wednesday in December.