Amendment #467 to H4200

Human Service Workers Commission

Mr. Sannicandro of Ashland moves to amend the bill by adding the following section:-

SECTION XXXX. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there shall be a special commission to investigate and study the prospect of paying $15 an hour to private sector human service workers whose agency contracts with the Commonwealth.

The commission shall evaluate the potential impact of such a requirement and the financial costs of doing so. The commission shall consist of 13 members: 2 of whom shall be the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate, or their designee, who shall co-chair the commission; 1 of whom shall be the secretary of administration and finance, or the secretary’s designee; 1 of whom shall be the secretary of health and human services, or the secretary’s designee; 1 of whom shall be selected from three names submitted by the Disabled Persons Protection Commission;  1 of whom shall be selected from three names submitted by the Massachusetts Human Service Providers Council; 1 of whom shall be selected from three names submitted by the Association for Behavioral Health; 1 of whom shall be selected from three names submitted by the SEIU Local 509; 1 of whom shall be the house minority leader or a designee; 1 of whom shall be the senate minority leader or a designee; 3 of whom shall be private citizens appointed by the co-chairs, based upon the citizens’ expertise in academia, retirement issues, or financial planning.

The commission shall consult with experts in the relevant fields and file a report of its recommendations. The report shall include, but not be limited to: (i) an analysis of the current salary levels of private sector human service workers ; (ii) an estimate on the costs to implement $15 an hour; (iii) a report on the expected benefits to the people served at these agencies and the to the Commonwealth.

The commission shall file a report of its recommendations with the clerks of the house and senate and the chairs of the house and senate committee on ways and means not later than April 1, 2017.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #467 to H4200

Human Service Workers Commission