SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2376        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1994

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

James B. Eldridge

_________________

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 promoting the civil rights and inclusion of American Muslims in the commonwealth.

_______________

PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2376        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1994

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

_______________

An Act promoting the civil rights and inclusion of American Muslims in the commonwealth.

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. Chapter 3 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 71. (a) There shall be a permanent commission on the status of people who practice Islam consisting of 11 persons as follows: 2 persons appointed by the governor; 1 person appointed by the attorney general; 1 person appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; 1 person appointed by the president of the senate; 2 persons appointed by the state secretary; 2 persons appointed by the senate chair of the Massachusetts general court’s joint committee on racial equity, civil rights, and inclusion; and 2 persons appointed by the house chair of the Massachusetts general court’s joint committee on racial equity, civil rights, and inclusion. Members of the commission shall reside in the commonwealth who have demonstrated a commitment to the Muslim American community. Members shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 268A as they apply to special state employees.

(b) Members shall serve terms of 3 years and until their successors are appointed. Vacancies in the membership of the commission shall be filled by the original appointing authority for the balance of the unexpired term. Nominations for members shall be solicited by the appointing authorities between August 1 and September 16 of each year through an open application process using a uniform application that is widely distributed throughout the state.

(c) The commission shall elect from among its members a chair, a vice chair, a treasurer and any other officers it considers necessary. The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services, provided however, that they shall be reimbursed for any usual and customary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

(d) The commission shall be a resource to the commonwealth on issues affecting American Muslim communities in the commonwealth. In furtherance of that responsibility, the commission shall: (1) promote research and serve as a clearinghouse and source of information on issues pertaining to American Muslims in the commonwealth; (2) inform the public and leaders of business, education, human services, health care, state and local governments and the communications media of the unique cultural, social, ethnic, economic and educational issues affecting American Muslims in the commonwealth; (3) foster unity among the American Muslim community and organizations in the commonwealth by promoting cooperation and sharing of information and encouraging collaboration and joint activities; (4) serve as a liaison between government and private interest groups with regard to matters of unique interest and concern to American Muslims in the commonwealth; (5) identify and recommend qualified American Muslims for appointive positions at all levels of government, including boards and commissions, as the commission considers necessary and appropriate; (6) assess programs and practices in all state agencies as they affect American Muslims, as the commission considers necessary and appropriate; (7) advise executive and legislative bodies on the potential effect on American Muslims of proposed legislation, as the commission considers necessary and appropriate; and (8) generally undertake activities designed to enable the commonwealth to realize the full benefit of the skills, talents and cultural heritage of American Muslims in the commonwealth.

(e) The commission shall annually, on or before June 2, report the results of its findings and activities of the preceding year and its recommendations to the governor and to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives.

(f) The powers of the commission shall include, but not be limited, to: (1) using the voluntary and uncompensated services of private individuals, agencies and organizations that may from time to time be offered and needed, including the provision of meeting places and refreshments; (2) holding regular, public meetings and holding fact-finding hearings and other public forums as it considers necessary; (3) directing staff to perform its duties; (4) establishing and maintaining offices that it considers necessary, subject to appropriation; (5) enacting by-laws for its own governance that are not inconsistent with any general or special law; and (6) recommending policies and making recommendations to agencies and officers of the state and local subdivisions of government to effectuate the purposes of subsection (d).

(g) The commission may request from all state agencies whatever information and assistance the commission requires.

(h) The commission may accept and solicit funds, including any gifts, donations, grants, or bequests, or any federal funds for any of the purposes of this section. These funds shall be deposited in a separate account with the state secretary’s office, be received by the state secretary on behalf of the commonwealth, and be expended by the commission in accordance with law.

(i) The commission staff shall consist of a paid executive director, employees and volunteers who assist the commission in effecting its statutory duties. The commission shall appoint the executive director for a term of 3 years.

SECTION 2. Notwithstanding section 1, the initial members of the American Muslim commission shall be appointed for the following terms:-

(a) The governor shall appoint, on or before December, 1, 2024, 2 members, each for a term of 3 years.

(b) The attorney general shall appoint, on or before December 1, 2024, 1 member for a term of 3 years.

(c) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint, on or before December 1, 2024, 1 member for a term of 3 years.

(d) The president of the senate shall appoint, on or before December 1 2024, 1 member for a term of 3 years.

(e) The state secretary shall appoint, on or before December 1, 2024, 2 members, each for a term of 3 years.

(f) The chair of the Senate committee on racial equity, civil rights shall appoint, on or before December 1, 2024, 2 members, each for a term of 3 years.

(g) The chair of the House committee on racial equity, civil rights shall appoint, on or before December 1, 2024, 2 members, each for a 3 year term.

SECTION 3. The executive director of the American Muslim commission, established by section 1, shall initially be appointed by the commissioners for the term of 3 years on or before December 1, 2025.

SECTION 4. Sections 1 to 3, inclusive, shall take effect on December 1, 2024.