SECTION 1. There shall be an educational task force to review the effect of school day start times for middle school and secondary school students.   The task force shall consist of 9 members: the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on education, or their designees, who shall serve as co-chairs of the task force; the secretary of education, or a designee; the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, or a designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, or a designee, the executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, or a designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts Association of Secondary School Principals, or a designee; the executive director of StartSchoolLater.net, or a designee; and a superintendent from a district which has implemented later school day starting times.

The task force shall: (i) conduct a comprehensive study, including a review of the scientific findings relative to sleep needs of adolescents, relative to the effect which middle school and secondary school start times have on the health and academic performance of students; (ii) determine the number of districts in the Commonwealth which have implemented later school day starting times for middle school and secondary schools and examine the academic performance of students, including performance on statewide tests; and (iii) identify resources and opportunities to assist districts in implementing later school day start times for middle school and secondary schools.

The task force shall file a report containing its findings and recommendations, including legislation necessary to carry out its recommendations, with the clerks of the house and senate by June 30, 2016.