HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3202        FILED ON: 2/18/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 499

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

David M. Rogers

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act establishing a commission to study the Commonwealth’s response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

David M. Rogers

24th Middlesex

2/18/2021

Susan L. Moran

Plymouth and Barnstable

2/26/2021

Elizabeth A. Malia

11th Suffolk

3/15/2021

Mindy Domb

3rd Hampshire

7/13/2021


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3202        FILED ON: 2/18/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 499

By Mr. Rogers of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 499) of David M. Rogers, Susan L. Moran and Elizabeth A. Malia for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the General Court) relative to the response of the Commonwealth to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Covid-19 and Emergency Preparedness and Management.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

_______________

 

An Act establishing a commission to study the Commonwealth’s response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. (a) There is hereby established a special legislative commission pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws to investigate and make recommendations regarding the Commonwealth’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

(b) The commission shall consist of the following 17 members: 2 of whom shall be the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on COVID-19 and emergency preparedness and management who shall serve as co-chairs; 1 member of the house of representatives to be appointed by the speaker of the house; 1 member of the senate to be appointed by the president of the senate; 2 of whom shall be appointed by the governor; 1 medical professional with experience in COVID treatment and response each from Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston Medical Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, and the University of Massachusetts Memorial Health Center; 2 members appointed by the co-chairs, one of whom shall be an expert in epidemiology and one of whom shall be an expert in infectious disease; 2 representatives appointed by the governor with backgrounds in racial health care disparities; and 2 representative appointed by the governor with a background in economics and fiscal policy. The co-chairs may appoint up to two additional members to fulfill the purpose and goals of the commission. 

(c) The commission shall investigate the Commonwealth’s medical, fiscal, and social response to the global COVID-19 pandemic and produce a report outlining the Commonwealth’s response to this pandemic and identifying the areas in which improvement is needed. The report shall be used to inform a response to any potential future pandemic.

(d) No later than 1 year after the effective date of this act, the commission shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the legislature, including, if applicable, drafts of legislation necessary to effectuate those recommendations.