(a) There shall be established a special commission, pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws, to study child support and recommend any improvements to the child support system in the commonwealth.
(b) The special commission shall be comprised of the following members: the chairs of the joint committee on the judiciary or their designees, who shall serve as co-chairs; the chairs of the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities or their designees; 1 member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; 1 member appointed by the president of the senate; 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the senate; 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts Bar Association, who shall have experience in family law and child support matters; 1 member appointed by the chief justice of the probate and family court; and the commissioner of the department of revenue or their designee, whom shall be from the department of revenue.
(c) The study shall include, but not be limited to: (i) analysis on the economic implications of child support on families in the commonwealth; (ii) analysis on the economic implications of nonpayment of child support; (iii) analysis of child support collections and unpaid child support; (iv) a review of all enforcement mechanisms and the impact of such mechanisms on lower socio-economic families and families with incarcerated obligors; (v) comprehensive data gathered on child support to inform policy recommendations; and (vi) any recommendations on changes to child support in the commonwealth.
(d) The commission shall prepare a report detailing the results of the study, along with any recommendations and any proposed standards and legislation necessary to carry out its recommendations. The report shall be submitted to the: (i) joint committee on the judiciary; (ii) joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities; and (iii) clerks of the house of representatives and senate not later than December 31, 2026.
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