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Special Commission on Transportation for Homeless Students

SECTION 190.   (a) There shall be a special commission to study and make recommendations to improve efficiencies relative to transportation for homeless students. The commission shall consist of the following members or their designees: the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on education; the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities; the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on housing; the commissioner of elementary and secondary education; the commissioner of transitional assistance; and 3 members who shall be appointed as follows: 1 member appointed by the senate president who shall be a representative from an organization that services homeless families; 1 member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives who shall be a member of the Massachusetts Municipal Association with knowledge of municipal finance; and 1 member appointed by the governor who shall be a representative from a transportation company that services homeless students.

(b) The commission shall study and report on: (i) nonidentifiable data relative to homeless students, including age groups and geographic settings; (ii) a review of the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act and recommendations on improving efficiencies relative to homeless student transportation; (iii) a review of methods districts use to transport homeless students, including current costs and bid processes in procuring transportation; (iv) a budget assessment of transportation for homeless students, including an assessment of federal funding provided to the state under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act; and (vi) recommendations for improving transportation services for homeless students. The commission, in formulating its recommendations, shall take into account the best policies and practices in other states. The commission shall hold at least 5 public meetings and may hold hearings and other forums as it considers necessary.

(c) The commission shall file its report and recommendations with the clerks of the senate and the house of representatives who shall forward the same to the senate and house chairs of the joint committee on education not later than July 1, 2017.