Amendment ID: S2800-140

Amendment 140

Establishing a Special Commission for the Promotion and Celebration of Juneteenth Independence Day

Messrs. Crighton, Cyr and Eldridge, Ms. Comerford and Mr. Tarr move to amend the bill by inserting after section XX the following section:-

"SECTION XX. (a) There is hereby established a special commission, pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws, to investigate and study the promotion and celebration of Juneteenth Independence Day.

(b) As part of its study and investigation, the commission shall: (i) develop a comprehensive plan for promoting and celebrating Juneteenth Independence Day; (ii) identify all opportunities for individuals, municipalities, or other actors across the different regions of the commonwealth to participate in celebrations; (iii) recommend activities that appropriately commemorate Juneteenth Independence Day, which shall include the publication and distribution of materials and online content; (iv) recommend educational activities for school districts to celebrate Juneteenth Independence Day and (v) make recommendations on any other matter related to the celebration of Juneteenth Independence Day.

(c) The commission shall consist of: the secretary of education or a designee; the secretary of housing and economic development or a designee; the governor or a designee; 3 persons appointed by the president of the senate from a list of not less than 5 nominees from the Massachusetts Black & Latino Legislative Caucus; 3 persons appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives from a list of not less than 5 nominees from the Massachusetts Black & Latino Legislative Caucus; 3 persons appointed by the permanent commission on the status of African Americans as established by section 1 of this act; 3 persons appointed by the president of the senate from organizations with experience in the promotion and celebration of Juneteenth Independence Day or relevant subject matter expertise; 3 persons appointed by the speaker of the house from organizations with experience in the promotion and celebration of Juneteenth Independence Day or with subject matter expertise; 3 persons appointed by the governor from organizations with experience in the promotion and celebration of Juneteenth Independence Day or with relevant subject matter expertise; and 1 person to be appointed by the President of the North Shore Juneteenth Association.

(d) The commission shall convene its first meeting within one month of the passage of this act."