Ordered, That a special committee is hereby established for the purpose of making an investigation and study of the children of incarcerated mothers in the commonwealth. The committee shall consist of 11 members of the House: 8 persons to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and 3 by the minority leader.

In the course if its investigation, the committee shall study, but not be limited to, the mental health needs, case management services, education, training and transportation issues for all such children and their incarcerated mothers, data collection and reporting by the department of corrections and sheriffs on this cohort, the capacity of the department of corrections and sheriffs for self-review, the frequency of such review and the department of correction’s response to findings, the role of law enforcement including sheriffs and police and the role of private providers, including social workers, therapists and medical personnel.

The committee shall issue quarterly reports on its activities, to include the results of its investigation and study and its recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry its recommendations, by filing the same and an annual report of the same with the clerk of the house of representatives and the house chair of the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities on or before October 15, 2016.