SECTION 1. There shall be a special commission to make a study and investigation of

establishing a payment in lieu of taxes mechanism for municipalities in which group homes are

located. The commission shall be charged with evaluating options and the practices of other

states, collecting data, and making policy recommendations that will be used to develop a

statewide procedure to compensate municipalities for the properties and buildings occupied by

group homes.

SECTION 2. The commission shall consist of the secretary of administration and finance

or his designee, the secretary of health and human services or his designee, the commissioner of

the department of mental health or his designee, the commissioner of department of

developmental services or his designee, the commissioner of the department of housing and

community development or his designee, the commissioner of the department of revenue or his

designee, the chairs of the joint committee on mental health and substance abuse, the chairs of

the joint committee on revenue, the senate minority leader or his designee, the house minority

leader or his designee, and the executive director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association or

his designee.

SECTION 3. The commission shall report its findings, recommendations, and annual cost

of its recommendations, as well as any proposed legislation, to the clerks of the senate and house

of representatives and to the chairs of the house and senate committees on ways and means on or

before December 31, 2017.