SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there shall be a commission to study the feasibility of Massachusetts joining the counseling compact for licensed mental health counselors.

SECTION 2. The commission shall consist of the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on consumer protection and professional licensure, who shall serve as the co-chairs; the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on health care financing or their designee; the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery, or their designee; one member to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; one member to be appointed by the house minority leader; one member to be appointed by the senate president; one member to be appointed by the senate minority leader; the commissioner of the department of mental health or designee; one member of the board of Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association, Inc.; one member of the Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professionals; one member of the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health; and one member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater Boston.

SECTION 3. The commission shall study the feasibility of joining the counseling compact for licensed mental health counselors and make recommendations to the legislature.

SECTION 4. The commission shall submit its report and findings, along with any recommendations and drafted legislation, to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the clerks of the house of representatives and senate within 6 months of the passage of this act.