Resolved, That there shall be a special commission established pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 to be known as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for the purpose of making an investigation and study relative to race in Massachusetts, including but not limited to slavery and interactions with slave fueled-industries and institutionalized racism. The commission shall also identify possible areas for legislative solutions, including ameliorative race-based policies and racial justice initiatives.
The commission shall consist of: 3 members of the senate, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the senate president and who shall serve as co-chairperson, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader and 1 of whom shall be appointed by the chair of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus; 3 members of the house of representatives, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and who shall serve as co-chairperson, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader and 1 of whom shall be appointed by the chair of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus; the mayor of the city of Boston or a designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus or a designee; the chair of the black advisory commission or a designee; 4 persons to be appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be selected from a list of 3 nominees provided by the New Democracy Coalition, Inc., 1 of whom shall be selected from a list of 3 nominees provided by a registered Massachusetts affiliate of the National Urban League, Inc. designated by the co-chairs, 1 of whom shall be selected from a list of 3 nominees provided by the NAACP Boston Branch and 1 of whom shall be selected from a list of 3 nominees provided by the New England Area Conference of the NAACP; 3 experts in race, African-American history or cultural studies to be appointed by the co-chairs, 1 of whom shall be from a state college or university, 1 of whom shall be a representative of a private college or university located within the commonwealth and 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Museum of African American History, Incorporated; and up to 5 additional persons to be appointed by the co-chairs, all of whom shall be leaders or representatives from different community groups or local organizations chosen by the co-chairs not otherwise having representation on the commission.
The commission shall file its report, together with the results of its study, recommendations and drafts of recommended legislation, with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives and to the chairs of the senate and house committees on ways and means not later than June 30, 2021.
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