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Local and regional needs for conflict resolution study

SECTION 204.   The Massachusetts office of public collaboration at the University of Massachusetts at Boston shall conduct a study of current local and regional needs for conflict resolution and collaborative infrastructure in the commonwealth.

The study shall include but not be limited to: (i) a literature review of research and publications on the utilization by local governments of public policy dispute resolution and other collaborative processes to address complex, contentious public issues; (ii) a municipal needs assessment involving select Massachusetts local government representatives, representatives of regional planning associations and municipal associations to examine the challenges faced by Massachusetts local governments; (iii) investigation of existing state infrastructure that can support municipal conflict resolution and collaborative problem-solving; (iv) investigation of programmatic approaches in other states for deployment and funding of community dispute resolution and public engagement and benchmarking effective programs and models for potential replication; (v) preliminary design of an evidence-based policy framework for state and private investment and provision of grants, technical resources and capacity-building services to local governments; and (vi) recommendations for the infrastructure and resources needed to oversee and administer a technical assistance grant program and recommendations for implementation and timeframes.

The study shall be completed and submitted to the joint committee on municipalities and regional government and the executive office for administration and finance not later than January 1, 2015.