41-1291.01
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41-1291.01. Joint legislative committee on adoption promotion A. The joint legislative committee on adoption promotion is established consisting of the following members: 1. Two members of the senate who are from different political parties and who are appointed by the president of the senate. These members shall serve as nonvoting advisory members. The president of the senate shall select one of these members to serve as cochairperson of the committee. 2. Two members of the house of representatives who are from different political parties and who are appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. These members shall serve as nonvoting advisory members. The speaker of the house of representatives shall select one of these members to serve as cochairperson of the committee. 3. The director of the department of economic security or the director's designee. 4. One member of a marketing firm who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. 5. One foster parent who is in the process, or has already completed the process, of adopting a foster child through the department of economic security and who is appointed by the president of the senate. 6. A representative of a faith based organization that has a mission statement that includes placing foster children into adoptive homes who is appointed by the president of the senate. 7. An attorney who is licensed to practice law in this state, who specializes in adoption law and who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. 8. A member of the foster care review board established by section 8-515.04 who is appointed by the president of the senate. 9. A court appointed special advocate pursuant to section 8-523 who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. 10. Two experts in the field of adoption who also specialize in the placement of foster children into adoptive homes, one of whom is appointed by the president of the senate and one of whom is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. B. The joint legislative committee on adoption promotion shall: 1. Review ways this state currently uses monies to promote the adoption of foster children who have a case plan of adoption. 2. Examine the practices and outreach efforts this state has undergone in the past and make recommendations to improve their effectiveness. 3. Review adoption processes in order to identify obstacles. 4. Provide recommendations to the department of economic security and to the joint legislative budget committee on ways this state may promote the adoption of foster children who have a case plan of adoption. 5. Make recommendations to the department of economic security and to the joint legislative budget committee on ways to spend the annual federal temporary assistance to needy families monies that are designated for outreach for prospective adoption of foster children. C. The department of economic security shall provide staff support for this committee. |