Amendment ID: S2800-39

Amendment 39

Latinx Commission

Mr. Boncore, Ms. Rausch, Messrs. Cyr, Eldridge and Welch, Ms. Moran, Messrs. Crighton, Tarr and Collins, Ms. Chang-Diaz and Mr. Montigny move to amend the bill by inserting in place at the end thereof the following new section:-

SECTION 1. Chapter 3 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 73. (a) There shall be a permanent commission on the status of Latinxs. The commission shall consist of: 3 persons appointed by the governor; 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; and 3 persons appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives from a list of not less than 5 nominees provided by the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus. Members of the commission shall be residents of the commonwealth who have demonstrated a commitment to the Latinx community. Members shall be considered special state employees for purposes of chapter 268A.

(b) Members shall serve terms of 3 years and until their successors are appointed. Vacancies in the membership of the commission shall be filled by the original appointing authority for the balance of the unexpired term. Nominations for members shall be solicited by the appointing authorities between August 1 and September 16 of each year through an open application process using a uniform application that is widely distributed throughout the state.

(c) The commission shall annually elect from among its members a chair, a vice chair, a treasurer and any other officers it considers necessary. The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services; provided, however, that members shall be reimbursed for any usual and customary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

(d) The commission shall be a resource to the commonwealth on issues affecting Latinx communities. It shall be a primary function of the commission to make policy recommendations, based on research and analysis, to the general court and executive agencies that: (i) ensure Latinxs equitably benefit from and have access to government services in the same manner as other citizens of the commonwealth; (ii) amend laws, policies and practices that have benefited citizens of the commonwealth to the exclusion of Latinxs; and (iii) promote solutions that address the impact of discrimination against Latinxs. In furtherance of that responsibility, the commission shall:

(1) promote research and be a clearinghouse and source of information on issues pertaining to Latinxs in the commonwealth;

(2) inform the public and leaders of business, education, human services, health care, judiciary, state and local governments and the communications media of the unique cultural, social, ethnic, economic and educational issues affecting Latinxs in the commonwealth;

(3) foster unity among Latinx communities and organizations in the commonwealth by promoting cooperation and sharing of information and encouraging collaboration and joint activities;

(4) serve as a liaison between government and private interest groups with regard to matters of unique interest and concern to Latinxs in the commonwealth;

(5) identify and recommend qualified Latinxs for appointive positions at all levels of government, including boards and commissions, as the commission considers necessary and appropriate;

(6) assess programs and practices in all state agencies as they affect Latinxs, as the commission considers necessary and appropriate;

(7) advise executive agencies and the general court on the potential effect on Latinxs of proposed legislation, as the commission considers necessary and appropriate; and

(8) generally undertake activities designed to enable the commonwealth to realize the full benefit of the skills, talents and cultural heritage of Latinxs in the commonwealth.

(e) The commission shall annually, on or before June 2, report the results of its findings and activities of the preceding year and its recommendations to the governor and to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives.

(f) The powers of the commission shall include, but not be limited, to:

(1) to use the voluntary and uncompensated services of private individuals, agencies and organizations that may from time to time be offered and needed, including provision of meeting places and refreshments;

(2) to hold regular, public meetings and to hold fact-finding hearings and other public forums as it considers necessary;

(3) to direct a staff to perform its duties;

(4) to establish and maintain offices that it considers necessary, subject to appropriation;

(5) to enact by-laws for its own governance that are not inconsistent with any general or special law; and

(6) to recommend policies and make recommendations to agencies and officers of the state and local subdivisions of government to effectuate the purposes of subsection (d).

(g) The commission may request from all state agencies whatever information and assistance the commission requires.

(h) The commission may accept and solicit funds, including any gifts, donations, grants, or bequests, or any federal funds for any of the purposes of this section. These funds shall be deposited in a separate account with the state treasurer, be received by the treasurer on behalf of the commonwealth, and be expended by the commission in accordance with law.

(i) The commission staff shall consist of an executive director, employees, and volunteers who assist the commission in effecting its statutory duties. The commission shall appoint the executive director for a term of 3 years.