HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 807        FILED ON: 1/14/2015

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 285

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

John V. Fernandes

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying resolve:

Resolve providing for an investigation and study by a special commission relative to the impact of undocumented aliens residing in the commonwealth.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 807        FILED ON: 1/14/2015

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 285

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth General Court
(2015-2016)

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Resolve providing for an investigation and study by a special commission relative to the impact of undocumented aliens residing in the commonwealth.

Resolved, That a special commission to consist of the co-chairs of the joint committee on children and families, the co-chairs of the joint committee on education, the co-chairs of the joint committee on public health the co-chairs of the joint committee on public safety and homeland security, 2 members of the senate, 1 member of the senate to be appointed by the minority leader, 2 members of the house of representatives, 1 member of the house of representatives to be appointed by the minority leader, the attorney general or her designee, the secretary of public safety or his designee, the secretary of housing and economic development or his designee; the secretary of health and human services or her designee; the commissioner of education or his designee; the chancellor of higher education, or her designee; and five members appointed by the governor with expertise in immigration issues, is hereby established for the purpose of making an investigation and study relative to the  impact, both positive and negative, of undocumented aliens living in the commonwealth, the economic (including the impact on tax revenue, and the fiscal ramifications of compliance with federal laws requiring the provisions of specific services to undocumented aliens), public safety, education, health, social service, business competition, workforce development, (including the need for workers willing to work in low paying jobs and industries), and housing impacts of undocumented aliens residing in Massachusetts; the respective roles of federal, state and local governments in addressing the need for, cost of, and legal basis of providing services, including employment and training, housing, public education, or health care for such residents; and a review of actions being taken by other states in response to the increase in undocumented aliens within their borders; and any other relevant issues. The commission shall also make recommendations about what actions, if any, should be implemented to address the issues raised by the presence of undocumented aliens in the commonwealth.

The commission shall report to the general court the results of its investigation and study, and its recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry such recommendations into effect by filing them with the clerk of the senate and the clerk of the house of representatives on or before June 30, 2014 . The commission may issue preliminary or interim reports to the general court before that date.