BOSTON – Senator Brian A. Joyce was appointed today by Senate President Therese Murray to the Probation Reform Working Group.
 
 
The Senate appointments, which include Senators Cynthia Stone Creem and Michael R. Knapik, were announced by Senate President Therese Murray. Governor Deval Patrick and House Speaker Robert DeLeo also made three appointments each to the group. The committee has been tasked with examining the current system, reviewing best practices of other states and making recommendations for a comprehensive reform bill due in January.
 
 
Joyce currently serves as the Chair of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. He is also Vice-Chair of Housing, Acting Vice-Chair of Higher Education, a member of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, and sits on the Financial Service, Public Safety and Homeland Security, Public Service, and Federal Stimulus Oversight committees.
 
 
“Senate President Murray has asked us to conduct an open, honest and transparent review of the Probation Department in order to recommend best practices to ensure a properly functioning department and restore the public’s trust,” said Senator Joyce.
 
 
The Governor’s appointments are:
 
· Gregory Massing, General Counsel for the Executive Office of Public Safety
· David E. Sullivan, General Counsel for the Executive Office for Administration and Finance
· Abim Thomas, First Assistant Deputy Legal Counsel to the Governor
 
 
The Senate President’s appointments are:
 
· Senator Cynthia Stone Creem, Senate Chair of the Judiciary Committee
· Senator Brian A. Joyce, Senate Chair of the State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Committee
· Senator Michael R. Knapik, Ranking Minority Member, Public Service Committee
 
 
The Speaker’s appointments are:
 
· Patricia A. Haddad, Assistant Majority Whip
· Byron Rushing, Second Division Chair
· Representative F. Jay Barrows