SECTION 1. Subsection (a) of Section 16AA of Chapter 6A of the General Laws, as created by Section 4 of Chapter 154 of the Acts of 2018, is hereby amended by adding the following :-

“Maternal death,” the death of a person while they are pregnant or within one year of when a person ceases to be pregnant.

SECTION 2. Section 16AA of Chapter 6A, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following:-

(g) There is hereby established a special commission for the purpose of  making an investigation and study relative to reducing racial disparities in maternal death.

The commission shall consist of 12 members: the director of the office of health equity, who shall serve as chairperson; a member of the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus or a designee; the commissioner of the department of public health, or a designee; a member of the maternal mortality and review committee; three medical professionals belonging to specialties which focus on childbirth or maternal health, including but not limited OBGYNs, nurse midwives, doulas, and midwives;  a member of a medical organization focused on improving maternal health outcomes,  a member of an organization committed to racial justice; and a member of an organization committed to reducing health inequities in communities of color. The Governor shall appoint 2 members: one of whom shall be an immediate family member of a victim of maternal death, and one of whom shall be an expert in reducing racial disparities in maternal death. The chairperson may appoint up to 3 additional commission members to fulfill the purpose of the commission.

Said commission shall provide guidance and advice to the governor, the general court and the secretary of health and human services relative to reducing racial disparities in maternal death including, but not limited to: (i) an assessment of current research on the subject and whether there exist evidence-based, best or promising practices on the reduction of racial disparities in maternal death, including but not limited to risk factors related to health care access before, during, and after pregnancy, the assessment and management of risk factors associated with maternal death, documentation and management of chronic and concurrent medical conditions, and the cultural competency of health care providers; (ii) the extent to which implicit bias, racism, or discrimination affect the prevalence of maternal death in communities of color and potential solutions; (iii) provision of assistance to the department of public health, other state agencies and organizations relative to applications for federal funding to support efforts consistent with the mission and purpose of the commission; (iii) an examination of what data is currently collected by the commonwealth regarding maternal death and whether additional authorization for data is needed and (iv) any other matters that the commission considers relevant to the fulfillment of its mission and purpose.

The special commission may conduct public hearings, forums or meetings to gather information and to raise awareness of maternal death, including the sponsorship of or participation in statewide or regional conferences.