SECTION 1.  (a) There shall be a special commission on robotic surgery which shall make an investigation and study relative to the use of robotic surgery in the commonwealth.  The commission shall consist of 3 senators, 1 of whom shall be the senate chair of the joint committee on public health, 1 of whom shall be a member of the majority party who shall be appointed by the president of the senate and 1 of whom shall be a member of the minority party who shall be appointed by the minority leader; provided however, that 1 member of the senate shall be designated as co-chair of the commission; 3 members of the house of representatives, 1 of whom shall be the house chair of the joint committee on public health, 1 of whom shall be a member of the majority party who shall be appointed by the speaker of the house, and 1 of whom shall be a member of the minority party who shall be appointed by the minority leader; provided, however, that 1 member of the house shall be designated as co-chair of the commission; the commissioner of the department of public health, or his designee; a representative appointed by the Massachusetts Medical Society; a representative appointed by the American Urological Society; a representative of the Society of Gynecological Surgeons; a representative appointed by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons; a representative appointed by the American Cancer Society; a representative appointed by the Massachusetts Hospital Association; and 3 persons to be appointed by the governor who have undergone robotic surgery. 

                 (b) The commission shall investigate and review the use of robotic surgery in the commonwealth and (1) work to develop a training protocol for each application of robotic surgery currently being performed in the commonwealth, (2) develop an application process for hospitals to propose the certification of any new applications of robotic surgery, and (3) establish guidelines for surgeon training and experience to perform such an operation.  The department of public health shall provide staff and other resources as the commission considers appropriate.  The special commission shall make its final report and recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry those recommendations into effect, by filing the same with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives not later than October 31, 2012.  The special commission may make such interim reports as it considers appropriate.