MA S1181

Establishes a permanent 15-member Commission on Reparations, with 7 members appointed by the Governor, 3 by the Senate President, 3 by the Speaker of the House, 1 by the Attorney General, and 1 jointly by the chairs of the Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion

Directs the commission to study slavery (1565-1865), subsequent de jure and de facto discrimination against residents of African descent, and identify Massachusetts individuals, businesses, corporations, and institutions that participated in or benefited from slavery

Requires the commission to recommend reparation proposals for residents of African descent, with special consideration for descendants of persons enslaved in the United States, including determining compensation forms, eligibility criteria, and disbursement methods

Grants the commission power to hold hearings, subpoena witnesses and documents, request information from state agencies, appoint personnel, enter contracts for research, and seek court orders compelling compliance

Mandates a written report of findings and recommendations within 2 years of the commission's first meeting, which must occur within 90 days of the act's effective date