Resolved, that there shall be a special commission to evaluate the barriers to substance use treatment in the perinatal period. The commission shall consist of: the secretary of health and human services or a designee, who shall serve as chair; the commissioner of public health or a designee, who shall have expertise in family and infant health; the commissioner of  mental health or a designee, who shall have expertise in maternal mental health and the intersection of substance use disorder; the director of substance addiction services or a designee who shall have experience with coordinating substance use treatment for women; the director of MassHealth or a designee; 4 members appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be from the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program for Moms, 1 of whom shall be from the Perinatal-Neonatal Quality Improvement Network of Massachusetts, 1 of whom shall be from the Boston Medical Center’s Project RESPECT and 1 of whom shall be a person with  experience seeking treatment in the perinatal period; 2 members of the senate, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader; and 2 members of the house of representatives, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader.

The special commission shall develop recommendations to remove barriers to treatment for perinatal substance use disorder, including, but not limited to: (i) insurance coverage; (ii) access to medication assisted treatment; (iii) access to mental health treatment; (iv) access to treatment postpartum depression to facilitate parenting; (v) screening for substance use disorder; and (vi) the integration of perinatal care and substance use treatment. In developing recommendations, the special commission may coordinate and consult with other commissions and entities, as appropriate.

The commission shall submit a report of its findings, along with its recommendations and any proposed legislation , to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate, the senate and house committees on ways and means, the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery and the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities not more than 1 year from the date of the commission’s first meeting.