Bill > H1753

This bill establishes a permanent commission on reparations in Massachusetts, comprising 15-21 members appointed by various state officials, including representatives from academic fields, civil society organizations, grassroots activists, economists, historians, and social workers. The commission's primary purpose is to study and recommend reparative actions for slavery and its ongoing consequences for residents of African descent. The commission will conduct comprehensive research into the historical injustices of slavery, including its transatlantic and domestic manifestations, systemic discrimination, and the lingering negative effects on African Americans. Key responsibilities include recommending public education strategies, developing remedies for historical wrongs, proposing reparation policies, and seeking ways to provide compensation and rehabilitation for descendants of enslaved persons. The commission will have broad powers to hold hearings, request documents, conduct research, and collaborate with state agencies. Members will be reimbursed for expenses and may receive per diem compensation. Within two years of its first meeting, the commission must submit a detailed written report of its findings and recommendations to the state legislature, with the goal of addressing historical injustices and promoting restorative justice for African Americans in Massachusetts.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1753