Executive Order  No. 646: Re-Establishing the Governor's Special Advisory Commission on Disability Policy

WHEREAS, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to advancing the rights, opportunities, full participation, and economic self-sufficiency of persons with disabilities, and to promoting inclusive policies that support the health and well-being of all Massachusetts residents; 

WHEREAS, Massachusetts must continue to promote the inclusion, integration, and independence of individuals with disabilities and ensure access to the resources they need to thrive; 

WHEREAS, the development and delivery of effective public policy and services within executive department offices and agencies are strengthened by input from persons with disabilities and those directly impacted by such programs; 

WHEREAS, achieving policy goals and delivering services to persons with disabilities require coordinated efforts across agencies, departments, and community stakeholders; 

WHEREAS, there remains an ongoing need for effective mechanisms through which persons with disabilities, their families, advocates, and supporters can partner with state government to offer input and guidance on policy and program development that reduces barriers and increases access to state programs, services, and activities; 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Maura Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by virtue of the power vested in me by the Constitution, Part 2, c. 2, § I, Art. I, do hereby revoke Executive Order No. 351 and order as follows: 

Section 1. The Governor’s Special Advisory Commission on Disability Policy is hereby re-established to advise the Governor and Lieutenant Governor on issues affecting persons with disabilities in Massachusetts.  The Commission shall consist of at least 24 members appointed by the Governor.  

Section 2. The Governor shall make appointments to the Commission after soliciting recommendations from representatives of organizations representing a broad range of persons with disabilities and organizations supportive of persons with disabilities.  The members shall include persons with disabilities, parents or guardians of children with disabilities, advocates for persons with disabilities, including one member representing the Statewide Independent Living Council, and representatives from executive branch offices or agencies with responsibility over matters affecting persons with disabilities.  The members of the Commission shall reflect a diversity of perspectives, backgrounds, and severity of disabilities, equitably represent historically underserved populations, and be representative of the geographic diversity of Massachusetts.   

The Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office on Disability, or their designee, shall serve as Chair of the Commission.  The Chair of the Commission shall designate from the Commission’s membership up to two Vice-Chairs.  Each member shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor, without compensation, in an advisory capacity for a term of three years. 

Section 3. The Commission shall review and assess the effect of existing or proposed government policies, programs, services, and regulations on persons with disabilities and make recommendations to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, with a particular focus on how to promote the inclusion, integration, and independence of persons with disabilities in the programs, services, and activities of state government.  To achieve this objective, the Commission’s members shall first identify up to three priorities to be addressed by the Committee over the course of the next two years.  Such topics could include, for purposes of example only, educational opportunities, economic prosperity drivers such as public and private economic development, health care and housing access, public safety, and job training and long-term career development.  At the conclusion of this two-year period, the Committee will promptly convene to select up to three priorities for its consideration for the next two-year period.   

The Commission shall communicate with advisory bodies serving various agencies and programs within the executive branch on matters affecting persons with disabilities.  

The Massachusetts Office on Disability, in consultation with the Governor’s Office of Access and Opportunity, shall provide staffing to support the work of the Commission, and may request that executive department offices and agencies supply data, reports, and other relevant information and assistance. 

Section 4. The Commission shall meet at least six times annually at the direction of the Chair.  The Commission may provide reports to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, summarizing the Commission’s work, methodology, findings and recommendations, and providing metrics to measure the effect of such recommendations, if implemented, on the lives of persons with disabilities. 

Section 5. The Chair, as needed, may establish subcommittees comprised of members of the Commission and non-members drawn from various groups and organizations committed to issues that are important to persons with disabilities or who possess expertise necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Executive Order.  All subcommittees shall be chaired by a member of the Commission designated by the Chair.  Subcommittees shall meet from time to time, as scheduled by the Chair or the Chair’s designee. 

Section 6. This Executive Order shall take effect upon execution and shall continue in effect until amended, superseded or revoked by subsequent Executive Order.