AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE HAMPDEN COUNTY COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same as follows:
(a) There shall be a Hampden county commission on the status of women and girls, referred to in this act as the Hampden commission, which shall consist of 9 persons to be appointed by the commission on the status of women established in section 66 of chapter 3 of the General Laws, referred to in this act as the commission on the status of women. The Hampden commission shall conduct an ongoing study of all matters concerning women in Hampden county. The Hampden commission shall report its findings to the commission on the status of women annually, not later than June 2, and recommend solutions to the problems facing the women of Hampden county. The commission on the status of women shall make appointments to the Hampden commission from a pool of applicants who reside in Hampden county.
(b) Members shall serve 3–year terms and shall remain in office until a successor is appointed. Members shall not be reappointed for more than 2 consecutive terms. Former members may reapply to serve on the Hampden commission after 1 year has passed since their last term. Of the initial members appointed to the Hampden commission, 3 members shall be appointed for a term of 1 year, 3 members shall be appointed for a term of 2 years and 3 members shall be appointed for a term of 3 years.
(c) Vacancies in the membership of the Hampden commission shall be filled by the commission on the status of women for the balance of the unexpired term.
(d) In making appointments to the Hampden commission, the commission on the status of women shall consult with women’s organizations. Nominations shall be solicited between August 1 and September 16 annually through an open application that shall be widely distributed throughout Hampden county. Members of the Hampden commission shall be diverse and represent a variety of the municipalities in Hampden county.
(e) Members shall serve on the Hampden commission as volunteers and shall not be compensated.
(f) The Hampden commission shall elect from among its members a chair, a vice-chair and other officers as it deems necessary.
(g) The Hampden commission shall meet not less than 4 times a year, at the members’ discretion.
(h) The Hampden commission may: (i) use voluntary and uncompensated services of private individuals, agencies and organizations as may be offered or required; (ii) recommend policies and make recommendations to state and local agencies and officers to effectuate the purpose of the commission; (iii) enact by-laws for its own governance; (iv) hold regular public meetings, conduct fact-finding hearings and hold other public forums as it deems necessary; and (v) take other actions as it deems necessary to effectuate its purpose.
Approved, October 6, 2016