MA H2017

Establishes a special commission to investigate and study gender-responsive programming for girls involved in the juvenile justice system, including methods to improve service effectiveness

Commission membership includes 4 legislators (2 Senate, 2 House), commissioners or designees from 7 state agencies (Health and Human Services, Education, Probation, Youth Services, Children and Families, Mental Health, Public Health), the chief counsel for public counsel services, the chief justice of juvenile court, and 8 governor-appointed state vendors serving high-risk girls

Commission must review gender-responsive programming in Massachusetts and other states, examine best practices and curricula, analyze recidivism rates, track educational attainment, and evaluate state contracts with vendors serving justice-involved girls

At least 3 regional public meetings required to gather input from community members and agencies, plus a mechanism to incorporate opinions of justice-involved girls into findings

Commission must meet at least 6 times annually and file biennial reports with recommendations to the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities