SENATE, No. 86

SECTION 1. The general court finds: that grandparents constitute the fastest growing group taking care of children in the commonwealth as well as in the United States; that many grandparents have overcome great hardships, brought up their own children, saved for retirement, and now must bring up their grandchildren; that many grandparents are making outstanding contributions to the educational, nurturing, and upbringing of the youth of the commonwealth;  that grandparents continue to face many challenges in their efforts to raise their grandchildren, including difficulty in accessing social services, support groups, and funding; and that the commonwealth places a high priority on addressing the unique concerns of the grandparents raising grandchildren in promoting the wellbeing and upbringing of the youth of our commonwealth;

SECTION 2. Chapter 3 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2004 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following section:—

“Section: 67.  There shall be a commission on the status of grandparents raising grandchildren consisting of: 5 persons appointed by the secretary of the executive office of elder affairs or their designees, 2 of which shall be from the secretary’s office; 3  persons appointed by the governor; 3 persons appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; 3 persons appointed by the president of the senate; and 3 persons appointed by the attorney general.  Members of the commission shall be citizens of the commonwealth who have demonstrated a commitment to the rearing of grandchildren by grandparents.

Members shall serve terms of 1 year.  Vacancies in the membership of the commission shall be filled by the original appointing authority for the balance of the unexpired term.  All appointments shall be made in consultation with grandparents raising grandchildren organizations in the commonwealth.  Nominations for members shall be solicited by the appointing authorities between November 15, 2007 and January 31, 2008 through an open application process using a uniform application that is widely distributed throughout the state.

 The commission shall elect from among its members a chair, a vice chair, a treasurer and any other officers it deems necessary.  The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be reimbursed for any usual and customary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

The commission will be a resource to the Commonwealth on issues affecting grandparents raising grandchildren in the Commonwealth.  In furtherance of that responsibility, the Commission shall:

(a) foster unity among grandparents raising grandchildren communities and organizations in the Commonwealth by promoting cooperation and sharing of information and encouraging collaboration and joint activities;

(b) serve as a liaison between government and private interest groups with regard to matters of unique interest and concern to grandparents raising grandchildren in the Commonwealth;

(c) assess programs and practices in all state agencies as they affect grandparents raising grandchildren, as the commission deems necessary and appropriate; 

(d) advise executive and legislative bodies of the potential effect of proposed legislation on grandparents raising grandchildren, as the commission deems necessary and appropriate; 

(e) investigate the merits of a state agency dedicated to grandparents issues and determine how the agency would be set up;

(f) determine issues that are faced by relatives other than parents raising children

 The commission shall on or before December 31st, 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.

The powers of the commission shall include, but not be limited, to use such voluntary and uncompensated services of private individuals, agencies and organizations as may from time to time be offered and needed, including provision of meeting places and refreshments; to hold regular, public meetings and to hold fact-finding hearings and other public forums as it may deem necessary; to direct a staff ("Commission Staff") to perform its duties; to establish and maintain such offices as it may deem necessary, subject to appropriation; to enact bylaws for its own governance but is not inconsistent with any General or Special Law; and to recommend policies and make recommendations to agencies and officers of the state and local subdivisions of government to effectuate the purposes of this commission. 

The commission may request from all state agencies such information and assistance as the commission may require.

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 chapter.  Such funds shall be deposited in a separate account with the state treasurer, be received by said treasurer on behalf of the commonwealth, and be expended by the commission in accordance with law.

SECTION 2. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 67 of chapter 3 of the General Laws, the initial members of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Commission shall be appointed for the following terms:—

(a) A designee from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs shall appoint, on or before February 28, 2008, five members for a term of one year, 2 of which are to be staff of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs.

(b ) The governor shall appoint, on or before February 28, 2008, three members for a term of  one year.

(c) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint, on or before February 28, 2008, three members for a term of one year.

(d) The president of the senate shall appoint, on or before February 28, 2008, three members for a term of one year.

(e) The attorney general shall appoint, on or before February 28, 2008, three members for a term of one year.