Section 201 Antisemitism Commission

(a) There shall be a special commission on combatting antisemitism in the commonwealth. The commission shall: (i) report on trends and data related to incidents of antisemitism in the commonwealth; (ii) make recommendations for the implementation of the United States national strategy to counter antisemitism; (iii) identify and evaluate existing efforts to combat antisemitism in the commonwealth; (iv) identify best practices from efforts to combat antisemitism in other states and jurisdictions; (v) evaluate the commonwealth's hate crime statutes and whether any amendments would better protect residents from antisemitism and other similar forms of hatred; and (vi) recommend strategies, programs and legislation to combat antisemitism in the commonwealth. The commission shall submit a report of its study and recommendations to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate and the senate and house committees on ways and means not later than November 30, 2024.

(b) The commission shall consist of: 3 persons appointed by the senate president, 1 of whom shall have expertise in combatting antisemitism and 1 of whom shall represent a Jewish community organization in the commonwealth; 3 persons appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, 1 of whom shall have expertise in combatting antisemitism and 1 of whom shall represent a Jewish community organization in the commonwealth; 1 member who shall be appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; 1 member who shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate; 2 persons appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall have expertise in legal issues related to civil rights and civil liberties; 2 persons appointed by the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Inc.; the attorney general or a designee; the chair of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination or a designee; the commissioner of higher education or a designee; the commissioner of elementary and secondary education or a designee; 1 person appointed by the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association; 1 person appointed by the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association Incorporated; and 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Inc. The senate president and the speaker of the house of representatives shall each designate a co-chair from their respective appointees.