Amendment #710 to H3400

An Amendment to reform the Department of Public Health

Representatives Lyons of Andover and Lombardo of Billerica move to amend the bill by adding the following new section:

SECTION XX. Chapter 17 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting, after section 19, the following section:-

Section 20. (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there shall be an independent commission to study and report on compensation paid to officers, directors, trustees, key employees, executives, highest paid employees, and independent contractors by non-profit corporations that receive grants from or have contracts with, the Department of Public Health. The commission shall consist of : the inspector general, or a designee; the attorney general, or a designee;  the state auditor, or a designee; 2 members of the house of representatives, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader, and shall act as chair; and 2 members of the senate, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader. The commission shall research, assess and develop recommendations regarding limiting compensation to officers, directors, trustees, key employees, executives, highest paid employees, and independent contractors at non-profits that receive grants from or have contracts with the Department of Public Health based on comparisons with prevailing standards for similar grants and contracts to determine whether or not such compensation is excessive in terms of the benefits bestowed upon the citizens of the Commonwealth. The commission shall specifically report on whether excessive compensation is awarded to executives at non-profits, as compared to managers and administrators employed in state government and to make recommendations to minimize or eliminate from eligibility for contractor status with the Commonwealth those non-profits with excessive payrolls or accumulated assets.

(b) Said report shall be filed with to the chair and ranking minority member of the house committee on ways and means, the chair and ranking minority member of the senate committee on ways and means, and the clerks of the House of Representatives and senate no later than October 15, 2013.”