(a) There shall be established, pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws, a special commission to study alimony and recommend any improvements to the alimony system in the commonwealth.

(b) The special commission shall be comprised of the following members: the chairs of the joint committee on the judiciary, who shall serve as co-chairs; 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 chief justice of the probate and family court; 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts Bar Association, who shall have expertise in family law and alimony; and 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, who shall have expertise in family law and alimony.

(c) The study shall include, but not be limited to: (i) statewide trends in alimony awards over time, including determining what percentage of alimony awards constitutes each time of alimony and how often courts grant requests for modifications of alimony; (ii) a review of the formula used for determining alimony in the commonwealth, including a tax analysis of the current formula; (iii) analysis on the economic implications of alimony on families in the commonwealth; (iv) comparison of Massachusetts alimony laws with alimony laws in other states, including trends pertaining to alimony; (v) analysis of the interplay between alimony and child support; (vi) court enforcement of alimony, particularly with regard to whether and how enforcement differs from enforcement of child support; (vii) the uniformity of the application of alimony laws among counties in the commonwealth; and (viii) any recommendations on changes to the alimony system 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; and (ii) clerks of the house of representatives and senate not later than December 31, 2026.