There shall be a special legislative commission to study the effectiveness of the organizational structure of the executive office of health and human services. The commission shall examine whether the current organizational structure of the office as established by statute allows the office to carry out its mission and perform its duties and obligations in an efficient manner. The commission shall examine whether changes should be made to the organizational structure of the office, including dividing the office into multiple cabinet-level executive offices, to: (i) optimize the performance of the office; and (ii) allow the departments, commissions and offices overseen by the office to more efficiently and effectively carry out their respective missions and duties and better serve the needs of the commonwealth.

The commission shall consist of: the chairs of the joint committee on state administration and regulatory oversight, who shall serve as co-chairs for the commission; the chairs of the joint committee on public health; the chairs of the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery; the chairs of the joint committee on health care financing; the secretary of health and human services or a designee; and 6 people to be appointed by the governor, 4 of whom shall be a former commissioner, deputy commissioner, assistant commissioner or an equivalent thereto for a department, commission or office overseen by the executive office of health and human services and 2 of whom shall be experts in state government and public administration.

Not later than March 1, 2024, the commission shall submit a report and recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry those recommendations into effect by filing the same with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on state administration and regulatory oversight.