The newly formed Permanent Commission on the Status of Latinos and Latinas held its first organizational meeting via Zoom to review its statutory duties, discuss officer elections and begin planning to hire an executive director and staff.

The meeting facilitator (name not specified) told members that the commission, created by the police reform legislation, will "make policy recommendations based on research and analysis to the general court and executive agencies" and serve as a clearinghouse of research and information on Latino and Latina issues in the Commonwealth. The facilitator also noted that the commission must submit an annual report "not later than June 2" to the governor and clerks of the House and Senate.

Why it matters: The commission is a permanent, staffed body intended to gather and synthesize existing research, advise state policymakers and identify qualified Latino and Latina candidates for appointed positions across state government. Members said they want the commission to avoid duplicating work already done by advisory groups and nonprofit partners and to use staffing to produce substantive, actionable recommendations.

Members discussed the commission's structure and powers under the statute, including the authority to direct staff, hold public meetings, contract with academic institutions, request assistance from state agencies and accept gifts or federal funds. The facilitator noted that staffing should include "an executive director, employees and consultants" and said, "The commission shall appoint the executive director for a term of 3 years." Members emphasized that funding and staffing will determine how much substantive research the commission can undertake.

Participants agreed to a tentative meeting cadence of monthly meetings on the second Wednesday at 10 a.m., with early meetings limited to about one hour. The meeting facilitator asked members to begin considering whether they would serve as chair, vice chair and treasurer; those officer elections are planned for the next meeting. The facilitator proposed Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. via Zoom as the follow-up, and said a calendar invitation would be distributed.

Several members stressed coordination with existing efforts. Professor Lorna Rivera of the University of Massachusetts Boston, director of the Gaston Institute, asked how the commission would relate to Governor Healey's Latino advisory group and its listening-session reports; the facilitator said the commission should build on that work, act independently where needed and avoid duplication. Eneida Roman, president and CEO of Amplify Latinx, said funding mattered: "And most importantly, that it's funded," arguing staff capacity will be necessary for the commission to move beyond volunteer-driven efforts.

Operational questions remain open. Members raised logistics including whether interns could assist (Professor Rivera offered to explore UMass Boston students), the process for background checks and trainings for interns, and the salary range for an executive director. Staff said the specific salary range and job description were not available at the meeting but that the commission would gather sample job descriptions from the other commissions and return the information at the next meeting.

The meeting closed with members agreeing to continue planning at the next session. The facilitator reiterated the short-term goals: elect officers, finalize a job description for the executive director, and coordinate funding with the two companion commissions established under the same legislation.