Commission on Structural Racism in the Massachusetts Probation Service

Members

Statutory Charge

An Act Relative to Justice, Equity and Accountability in Law Enforcement in the Commonwealth

Chapter 253 of the Acts of 2020

SECTION 112. (a) There shall be established, pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws, a special legislative commission on structural racism in the Massachusetts probation service, referred to in this section as the commission. The commission shall make an

investigation and study into disparate treatment of persons of color in the probation process and determine the role of structural racism in those disparities.

(b) The special legislative commission shall consist of 13 members: 3 of whom shall be members of the house of representatives to be appointed by the speaker of the house, 1 of whom shall be a member of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus and 1 of whom shall be a member of the Massachusetts House Asian Caucus; 2 of whom shall be members of the senate to be appointed by the president of the senate; 1 of whom shall be appointed by the governor; 1 of whom shall be the commissioner of probation; 1 of whom shall be the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, Inc. or a designee; 1 of whom shall be the president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People New England Area Conference or a designee; 1 of whom shall be the executive director of Roca, Inc. or a designee; 1 of whom shall be the chief executive officer of UTEC, Inc. or a designee; 1 of whom shall be the executive director of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, Inc. or a designee; and 1 of whom shall be the chief counsel of the committee for public counsel services or a designee.

(c) The special commission shall conduct a thorough review of the probation process to determine if there are disparities in the treatment of persons of color in the probation system and if structural racism is a cause of those disparities. The special commission shall also conduct a thorough review of any disparities in conditions or revocation of probation for persons of color and if structural racism is a cause of those disparities. The special commission shall make recommendations to eliminate any disparities in the treatment of persons of color found in the parole process including policy or legislative changes.

(d) The special commission shall submit its report and recommendations, together with drafts of legislation to carry its recommendations into effect, by filing the same with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate not later than September 30, 2021.