SECTION 1. There shall be a commission to investigate ways to increase access and interoperability of data collected by the department of public health, including the trauma registry established pursuant to section 11 of chapter 111C of the General Laws.

The commission shall evaluate ways to encourage the utilization of data collected from the trauma registry to study the patterns and impact of healthcare inequality and develop support programs and resources necessary to meet the unmet needs of residents of the commonwealth affected by healthcare inequality and their families. The commission may consider methods to encourage partnerships with academic medical centers and schools of public health to analyze and interpret existing data collected by the commonwealth, including data collected through the trauma registry, to ascertain geographical differences in healthcare access and quality. The commission may request information from state, county or municipal departments, boards, bureaus, commissions or agencies to further the goals of the commission.

The commission shall be comprised of: the commissioner of public health or a designee, who shall serve as chair; the senate and house chairs of the joint committee on public health; 1 member of the senate who shall be appointed by the minority leader; 1 member of the house who shall be appointed by the minority leader; and 4 persons who shall be appointed by the commissioner in consultation with the Massachusetts Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, Inc. and the chair of the American College of Surgeons, committee on trauma, 2 of whom shall be a research scientists with an expertise in healthcare quality and disparity with experience in medicine and public health and 2 of whom shall be members of the public with expertise in injury prevention or trauma surgery. The commission may hold public hearings; provided, however, that the hearings shall be held in a manner to ensure diverse geographic representation.

The department shall hold its first meeting on or before November 1, 2017. The commission shall file a report of its recommendations, if any, together with any recommendations for legislation, with the clerks of the senate and the house of representatives on or before December 31, 2018.

SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect as of July 1, 2017.