Bill Text: IN SB0125 | 2013 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Child fatality reviews and commission on children.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 8-5)
Status: (Passed) 2013-05-13 - Public Law 119 [SB0125 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2013-SB0125-Amended.html
Citations Affected: IC 2-5; noncode.
Synopsis: Commission on improving the status of children.
Establishes the commission on improving the status of children in
Indiana to: (1) study issues concerning vulnerable youth; (2) review
legislation; (3) cooperate with other entities; and (4) take other actions
relating to children. Repeals the law establishing the department of
child services interim study committee. (The introduced version of this
bill was prepared by the department of child services interim study
committee.)
Effective: July 1, 2013.
January 7, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on Judiciary.
January 31, 2013, amended, reported favorably _ Do Pass.
February 12, 2013, read second time, amended, ordered engrossed.
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
human services.
Chapter 36. Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana
Sec. 1. The following definitions apply throughout this chapter:
(1) "Commission" refers to the commission on improving the status of children in Indiana established by section 3 of this chapter.
(2) "Vulnerable youth" means a child served by:
(A) the department of child services;
(B) the office of the secretary of family and social services;
(C) the department of correction; or
(D) a juvenile probation department.
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "state agency" has the meaning set forth in IC 4-6-3-1.
Sec. 3. The commission on improving the status of children in
Indiana is established.
Sec. 4. The commission consists of seventeen (17) members as
follows:
(1) One (1) legislative member appointed by the speaker of the
house of representatives.
(2) One (1) legislative member appointed by the minority
leader of the house of representatives.
(3) One (1) legislative member appointed by the president pro
tempore of the senate.
(4) One (1) legislative member appointed by the minority
leader of the senate.
(5) The superintendent of public instruction or the
superintendent's designee.
(6) The commissioner of the department of child services or
the commissioner's designee.
(7) One (1) judge or justice with experience in juvenile law
appointed by the chief justice of Indiana to serve on the
commission for a period of four (4) years.
(8) The executive director of the prosecuting attorneys council
of Indiana or the executive director's designee.
(9) The executive director of the public defender council of
Indiana or the executive director's designee.
(10) The secretary of family and social services or the
secretary's designee.
(11) The state health commissioner or the state health
commissioner's designee.
(12) The commissioner of the department of correction or the
commissioner's designee.
(13) One (1) representative of the juvenile probation system,
appointed by the chief justice of Indiana for a period of four
(4) years.
(14) The director of the office of management and budget, or
the director of the state budget agency, as selected by the
governor.
(15) A member of the governor's staff, to be appointed by the
governor.
(16) The executive director of the division of state court
administration or the executive director's designee.
(17) A provider to the department of child services of foster
care, residential, or group home services, appointed by the
governor.
Sec. 5. (a) The judge or justice appointed under section 4(7) of
this chapter shall serve as the chairperson of the commission in
calendar year 2013 and every third year thereafter.
(b) The chairperson of the legislative council shall designate one
(1) legislative member of the commission to serve as the
chairperson of the commission in calendar year 2014 and every
third year thereafter.
(c) The member of the governor's staff appointed under section
4(15) of this chapter shall serve as the chairperson of the
commission in calendar year 2015 and every third year thereafter.
(d) The chairperson shall determine the agenda for the
commission.
Sec. 6. (a) A legislative member of the commission may be
removed at any time by the appointing authority who appointed
the legislative member.
(b) If a vacancy exists on the commission, the appointing
authority who appointed the former member whose position has
become vacant shall appoint an individual to fill the vacancy.
Sec. 7. Each member of the commission is entitled to receive the
same per diem, mileage, and travel allowances paid to individuals
who serve as legislative and lay members, respectively, of interim
study committees established by the legislative council.
Sec. 8. The affirmative votes of a majority of the members
appointed to the commission are required for the commission to
take action on any measure, including final reports.
Sec. 9. The commission shall do the following:
(1) Study and evaluate the following:
(A) Access to services for vulnerable youth.
(B) Availability of services for vulnerable youth.
(C) Duplication of services for vulnerable youth.
(D) Funding of services available for vulnerable youth.
(E) Barriers to service for vulnerable youth.
(F) Communication and cooperation by agencies
concerning vulnerable youth.
(G) Implementation of programs or laws concerning
vulnerable youth.
(H) The consolidation of existing entities that serve
vulnerable youth.
(I) Data from state agencies relevant to evaluating
progress, targeting efforts, and demonstrating outcomes.
(2) Review and make recommendations concerning pending
legislation.
(3) Promote information sharing concerning vulnerable youth
across the state.
(4) Promote best practices, policies, and programs.
(5) Cooperate with:
(A) other child focused commissions;
(B) the judicial branch of government;
(C) the executive branch of government;
(D) stakeholders; and
(E) members of the community.
(6) Submit a report by July 1 of each year regarding the
commission's work during the previous year. The report shall
be submitted to the legislative council, the governor, and the
chief justice of Indiana. The report to the legislative council
must be in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6.
Sec. 10. The commission may do the following:
(1) Request information or a presentation from an agency
involved with vulnerable youth.
(2) Request and review outcome data from an agency related
to vulnerable youth.
(3) Receive information from experts concerning vulnerable
youth.
Sec. 11. The Indiana judicial center shall provide support staff
for the commission.
