Bill Text: IN SB0147 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Commission on improving the status of children.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-01-14 - Senator Holdman added as second author [SB0147 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2013-SB0147-Introduced.html
Citations Affected: IC 2-5-36.
Synopsis: Commission on improving the status of children.
Establishes the commission on improving the status of children in
Indiana (commission). Requires certain departments, agencies, and
boards to submit an annual report concerning the status of children to
the commission by June 30 of each year and to submit any other reports
and information requested by the commission. Allows the commission
to request from other state agencies information and reports regarding
matters related to children. (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 Health and Provider
Services.
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
family law and juvenile law.
Chapter 36. Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "commission" refers to the commission on improving the status of children in Indiana established by section 3 of this chapter.
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 fifteen (15) members as follows:
(1) The speaker shall appoint one (1) legislative member to serve on the commission.
(2) The minority leader of the house of representatives shall
appoint one (1) legislative member to serve on the
commission.
(3) The president pro tempore shall appoint one (1) legislative
member to serve on the commission.
(4) The minority leader of the senate shall appoint one (1)
legislative member to serve on the commission.
(5) The superintendent of public instruction or the
superintendent of public instruction's designee.
(6) The commissioner of the department of child services or
the designee of the commissioner of the department of child
services.
(7) The chief justice of the supreme court shall appoint a
judge or justice with experience in juvenile law to serve on the
commission for a term of four (4) years.
(8) The governor shall appoint a school teacher or school
administrator to serve on the commission for a term of four
(4) years.
(9) The speaker shall appoint a university professor with
expertise in childhood and adolescent development to serve on
the commission for a term of four (4) years.
(10) The minority leader of the house of representatives shall
appoint a health care professional who works with children to
serve on the commission for a term of four (4) years.
(11) The president pro tempore shall appoint one (1) parent
or guardian of a child who has received or is receiving
services in the juvenile justice system or the child welfare
system to serve on the commission for a term of four (4) years.
(12) The minority leader of the senate shall appoint a member
who represents child service providers in the child welfare
system to serve on the commission for a term of four (4) years.
(13) The chief justice of the supreme court shall appoint an
attorney who has advocated for children in the legal system to
serve on the commission for a term of four (4) years.
(14) The executive director of the prosecuting attorneys
council of Indiana or the executive director's designee.
(15) The executive director of the public defender council of
Indiana or the executive director's designee.
Sec. 5. The chairman of the legislative council shall designate
one (1) legislative member of the commission to serve as the
chairperson of 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 committee 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:
(A) state agency policy and practice that affect the
well-being and best interests of children in Indiana; and
(B) proposed legislation that would affect policy and
practice described in clause (A).
(2) Review and make recommendations for legislation
regarding services provided to children by public and private
entities.
(3) Review and make recommendations for legislation
regarding any unmet need or funding considerations for
children.
(4) Review and monitor progress on the implementation of
laws, programs, and services provided by state agencies,
organizations, and offices that affect children.
(5) Make recommendations regarding the commission's
findings to the appropriate state agencies, including legislative
committees and commissions that affect children.
(6) Review annually state rankings and outcomes concerning
the status of children, including rankings on:
(A) academic success;
(B) early childhood education;
(C) childhood poverty and hunger;
(D) health;
(E) school suspensions, expulsions, and school based
arrests;
(F) school drop outs;
(G) access to behavioral health care;
(H) child abuse and neglect including children who witness
domestic violence or violent crimes;
(I) out-of-home placements;
(J) confinement in detention facilities and department of correction facilities;
(K) immunizations;
(L) delinquency; and
(M) infant mortality rates.
(7) Track the progress made toward improving the rankings and outcomes described in subdivision (6).
(8) Cooperate with other child related commissions, the judiciary, the executive branch of state government, stakeholders, and members of the community to develop long term plans that promote progress in areas of priority for the advancement of children.
(9) Propose legislation.
(10) Submit an annual report before November 1 each year to the legislative council. This report must be in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6.
Sec. 10. The legislative services agency shall provide staff support to the commission.
Sec. 11. The commission may appoint a study group comprised of commission members, legislators, and other individuals who have an interest in children's issues to study specific issues relating to children.
Sec. 12. (a) The following shall submit an annual report that includes the information described in subsection (b) to the commission by June 30 of each year, and shall submit any other reports and information requested by the commission:
(1) The department of education.
(2) The department of correction.
(3) The criminal justice institute.
(4) The division of mental health and addiction.
(5) The department of child services.
(6) The office of Medicaid policy and planning.
(7) The department of health.
(8) The board for the coordination of programs serving vulnerable individuals created by IC 4-23-30.2-8.
(b) Each state agency listed under subsection (a) shall include in the state agency's report under subsection (a) the following information as it relates to the state agency:
(1) The status of children.
(2) The state rankings and outcomes concerning the status of children, as described in section 9(6) of this chapter.
(3) The measures taken to improve the status of children.
(4) Any plans established to improve the status of children.
(c) The commission may request information and reports regarding matters related to children from a state agency not listed in subsection (a).
