Resolve, Establishing a Commission To Reform Child Protective Services

Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: That the Commission To Reform Child Protective Services, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established.

Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That the commission consists of 13 members appointed as follows:

1. Three members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including no more than 2 members from the party holding the largest number of seats in the Senate and no more than one member from the party holding the 2nd largest number of seats in the Senate; and

2. Ten members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, including no more than 6 members from the party holding the largest number of seats in the House of Representatives and no more than 4 members from the party holding the 2nd largest number of seats in the House of Representatives.

In making their appointments under this section, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall consider including members of the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety and the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services. Nothing in this section precludes the appointment of a member who is not a member of the party holding the largest number of seats or the 2nd largest number of seats in the chamber.

Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the first-named Senate member is the Senate chair and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the commission.

Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of commission. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been completed. After appointment of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission. If 30 days or more after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have been made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority for the commission to meet and conduct its business.

Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall study and hold public hearings on reforms to the laws governing the protection of vulnerable children in state care.

Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission, except that Legislative Council staff support is not authorized when the Legislature is in regular or special session. The chairs of the committee may request technical assistance from appropriate sources whenever necessary.

Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, no later than February 1, 2020, the commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.

summary

This resolve establishes the Commission To Reform Child Protective Services. The commission is required to submit a report, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.