Introduced Version




SENATE BILL No. 147

_____


DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL



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.



Lanane


    January 7, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Provider Services.




Introduced

First Regular Session 118th General Assembly (2013)


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 this style type.
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 this style type reconciles conflicts between statutes enacted by the 2012 Regular Session of the General Assembly.

SENATE BILL No. 147


    A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning family law and juvenile law.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:

SOURCE: IC 2-5-36; (13)IN0147.1.1. -->     SECTION 1. IC 2-5-36 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2013]:
     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).