SECTION 1.  There is hereby established a charter school working group to study the equity in funding and innovations promoted by charter schools authorized under the provisions of chapter 71, section 89.  The working group shall report its findings and conclusions to the general court and make recommendations regarding any necessary legislative and regulatory changes which are suggested by those findings and conclusions.  The first meeting of the working group shall take place within 30 days after the effective date of this act.

SECTION 2.  The working group shall consist of the speaker of the House of Representatives, or his designee, who shall serve as co-chair, the president of the senate, or her designee, who shall serve as co-chair; the minority leaders of the house and senate, or their designees; the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on education; the chairs of the house and senate committee on ways and mean; the secretary of administration and finance, or her designee; the secretary of education or his designee; the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, or his designee; and 2 appointees of the Governor.

SECTION 3.  The working group shall solicit advice from such persons and entities as it deems necessary.

SECTION 4.  The working group shall file a report containing its recommendations, including legislation and regulations necessary to carry outs its recommendations, with the joint committee on education and the clerks of the house and senate not later than 9 months following the first meeting of the working group.