SECTION 1. There is hereby established a special commission to make recommendations on the establishment of a statewide registry of persons who are convicted for the sale and/or trafficking of a class A substance, as defined in section 31 of chapter 94C of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition. The report shall include, but not be limited to findings and recommendations regarding:

(a) the scope of criminal offenses appropriate for registration, the classification of persons convicted of such offenses, and judicial review thereof; (b) the due process interests of persons who are subject to registration; (c) the public interest in disseminating information regarding narcotics dealers to the general public; (d) the sharing of registration information between certain law enforcement agencies; (e) special considerations regarding homeless individuals and juveniles; (f) the term of registration that should be required; (g) penalties for persons who fail to register; (h) fees for registration; (i) policies regarding the use, confidentiality, and misuse of registration information; and, (j) the establishment and administration of a board to oversee the creation and continued operation of the registry.

SECTION 2. The commission shall consist of the following 13 members: the secretary of public safety and security, who shall serve as chair; the attorney general or a designee; the chief counsel of the committee for public counsel services or a designee; a representative of the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association or a designee; 3 members appointed by the president of the Senate, at least one of whom shall be a member of the minority party; and, 3 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, at least one of whom shall be a member of the minority party. The commission may consider input from any relevant organization.

SECTION 3. The commission shall file a report of its findings and recommendations, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry those recommendations into effect, with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate, the joint committee on the judiciary, and the joint committee on public safety and homeland security not later than 9 months following the effective date of this act.