(a)  There shall be a Hampden County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls which shall consist of nine persons to be appointed by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women established in section 66 of chapter 3 of the General Laws. The Hampden County commission shall conduct an ongoing study of all matters concerning women in Hampden County. The commission shall report its findings to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women annually, not later than June 2, and recommend solutions to the problems facing the women of Hampden County. The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women shall make appointments to the Hampden commission from a pool of applicants who reside in Hampden County.

(b)  Members shall serve three-year terms and shall remain in office until their successors are appointed. Members shall not be reappointed for more than two consecutive terms. However, former commissioners may reapply to serve on the commission after one year has passed since their last term. Of the initial members appointed to the Hampden County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, three members shall be appointed for a term of one year, three members shall be appointed for a term of two years and three members shall be appointed for a term of three years.

     (c)  Vacancies in the membership of the Hampden County commission shall be filled by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women for the balance of the unexpired term.

(d)  In making appointments to the Hampden County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women shall consult with women's organizations. Nominations shall be solicited between August 1 and September 16 annually through an open application that shall be widely distributed throughout Hampden County. Members of the commission shall be diverse and represent a variety of the towns and municipalities in Hampden County.

(e)  Members shall serve on the Hampden County Commission on the Status of Women as volunteers and shall not be compensated.

(f)  The Hampden County Commission on the Status of Women shall elect from among its members a chair, a vice chair, and any other officers as it deems necessary.

(g)  The Hampden County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls shall meet at least four times a year, at the members' discretion.

(h)  The Hampden County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls may: (i) use voluntary and uncompensated services of private individuals, agencies and organizations as may, from time to time, be offered or required; (ii) recommend policies and make recommendations to state and local agencies and officers to effectuate the purposes of the commission; (iii) enact by-laws for its own governance; (iv) hold regular public meetings, conduct fact-finding hearings and hold other public forums as it deems necessary; and (v) take other actions as it deems necessary to effectuate its purposes.