SECTION 1.  Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is hereby authorized and directed to assemble an educational task force to conduct a comprehensive study relative to the issues, benefits, and options related to instituting a later start time to the school day for elementary and secondary schools in the Commonwealth.  The task force shall comprise of, but not limited to:  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 Superintendents or a designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts Association of Elementary School Principals or a designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts Association of Secondary School Principals 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 Business Officials or a designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts Association of Special Education Administrators or a designee;  the executive director of the Massachusetts Teachers Association or a designee.

The task force shall: (i) conduct a comprehensive study including, but not limited to, the impact of school start times on student academic performance, school scheduling issues, scientific and academic findings relative to the sleep needs of adolescents; (ii) schedule and hold public hearings throughout the Commonwealth to ensure public input and comment; and (iii) make reasonable attempts at obtaining comments and suggestions from common stakeholders, that may include teachers, students, parents of students, and education policy makers.

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 of Representatives and Senate and the Joint Committee on Education not later than 12 months following the first meeting of the task force.