(e) The commission shall be a resource to the commonwealth on issues affecting grandparents raising grandchildren in the commonwealth. In furtherance of that responsibility, the commission shall:

1. (1) foster unity among grandparents raising grandchildren communities and organizations in the commonwealth by promoting cooperation and sharing of information and encouraging collaboration and joint activities;
2. (2) serve as a liaison between government and private interest groups with regard to matters of unique interest and concern to grandparents raising grandchildren in the commonwealth;
3. (3) assess programs and practices in all state agencies as they affect grandparents raising grandchildren, as the commission deems necessary and appropriate;
4. (4) advise executive and legislative bodies of the potential effect of proposed legislation on grandparents raising grandchildren, as the commission deems necessary and appropriate;
5. (5) investigate the merits of the establishment of a state agency dedicated to grandparents issues and determine how such agency would be set up; and (6) identify issues that are faced by relatives, other than parents, who are raising children.

(f) The powers of the commission shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. (1) to use such voluntary and uncompensated services of private individuals, agencies and organizations as may from time to time be offered and required, including provision of meeting places and refreshments;
2. (2) to hold regular, public meetings and to hold fact-finding hearings and other public events as the commission deems necessary;
3. (3) to direct a staff, in this section to be called commission staff, to perform its duties;
4. (4) to establish and maintain such offices as the commission deems necessary, subject to appropriation;
5. (5) to enact by-laws for its own governance but not inconsistent with any general or special law; and (6) to recommend policies and make recommendations to agencies and officers of the commonwealth and local subdivisions of government to effectuate the purposes of this commission.