There is hereby established a special commission to examine the care and treatment of citizens who are addicted to opiate substances in the Commonwealth.  The Commission shall be comprised of 10 members to be appointed by the Governor including, 1 member of the House of Representative, 1 member of the Senate, the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health or his designee, the Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health or his designee, a representative of the Massachusetts Association for Behavioral Health Care, a representative of the Massachusetts Association of Private Psychiatric hospitals, 1 representative of the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society; 1  member of the Massachusetts Medical Society who is a board certified emergency department physician; a representative of the Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery, and a representative of the Massachusetts Council of Community Hospitals.

The Commission shall meet at least monthly and its review shall include but not be limited to the following:  the role methadone clinics play in the treatment of opiate addiction and any public funding related thereto and recommended changes, if any; the current system for treating overdoses and any gaps in care relating thereto along with recommended changes, if any; and the current public and private payment system for opiate addiction treatment and recommended changes, if any.  The Commission shall report its findings together with any recommended legislation to the House and Senate not later than December 31, 2011.