Amendment #24 to H4278

Safe Communities Commission

Ms. Andrews of Orange moves to amend the bill by adding at the end the following new section:-

"SECTION XX. There shall be a special commission established pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws to consist of: the governor or a designee, who shall serve as co-chairperson; the attorney general or a designee, who shall serve as co-chairperson; 2 members of the house of representatives, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader; 2 members of the senate, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader; the chief justice of the supreme court, or a designee; 2 persons to be appointed by the attorney general; the secretary of public safety and security, or a designee; the commissioner of mental health, or a designee; the commissioner of public health, or a designee; the colonel of the state police, or a designee; 2 members of the Massachusetts association of school superintendents, 1 representing a school district located in a rural community in the commonwealth, 1 representing a school district located in a city in the commonwealth; the president of a state university located in a rural county in the commonwealth, appointed by the governor; the president of a community college located in a rural community in the commonwealth, appointed by the governor; the president of the Western Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, or a designee; the president of the Central Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, or a designee; 1 school resource officer from a public school in rural community in the commonwealth; 1 school resource officer from a public school in an urban community in the commonwealth; the president of the Association for Behavioral Healthcare, or a designee; the president of the Massachusetts chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, or a designee; the president of the Gun Owners Action League, or a designee; the executive director of the National Rifle Association, or a designee; the president of the South Barre Rod & Gun Club, or a designee; the president of the Orange Gun Club, or a designee.

The composition of the commission shall reflect the gender and racial balance of the commonwealth in addition to achieving a balanced composition of members from rural and urban areas. The commission’s study and recommendations shall incorporate, whenever possible and feasible, evidence-based research, including regulations and procedures successfully employed by other states and countries.

The commission shall study and develop recommendations to improve enforcement of existing gun laws in the commonwealth.  The commission shall study and develop evidence-based recommendations relative to video games containing violent content and their impact on youth. The commission shall develop recommendations to improve collection and security of information obtained during the firearm licensing and renewal process. The commission shall study and develop recommendations to improve the ease and timeliness of the firearm licensing and renewal process. The commission shall study and develop evidence based recommendations relative to improving the eligibility criteria, granting authority and appeal process for obtaining firearm licenses. The commission shall develop evidence-based recommendations for improving, supplementing and bolstering current mental health services and practices to achieve an optimal, safe learning environment for students throughout the commonwealth. The commission shall study and develop evidence-based recommendations relative to the legal and illegal classification of firearms. The commission shall study and develop evidence-based recommendations relative to engaging and educating all residents regarding rights and responsibilities to ensure safe communities and responsible gun ownership.

The executive office of public safety and security shall provide staff support to the commission.

The commission shall submit an interim report of its findings, assessments and recommendations, together with drafts of legislation necessary to implement those recommendations, by filing the same with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives not later than 180 days after the effective date of this act. The commission shall submit a final report of its findings, assessments and recommendations, together with drafts of legislation necessary to implement those recommendations, by filing the same with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives not later than one year after the effective date of this act."