§ 10-3-2302 - Creation.
10-3-2302. Creation.
(a) There is created the Arkansas Legislative Task Force on Abused and Neglected Children.
(b) The task force shall consist of the following members:
(1) The Governor or the Governor's designee;
(2) The Chair of the House Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor or the chair's designee;
(3) The Chair of the Senate Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor or the chair's designee;
(4) The Chair of the Senate Interim Committee on Children and Youth or the chair's designee;
(5) The Chair of the House Committee on Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs or the chair's designee;
(6) The Director of the Division of Children and Family Services of the Department of Human Services or the director's designee;
(7) The Director of the Division of Mental Health Services of the Department of Human Services or the director's designee;
(8) The Director of the Division of Youth Services of the Department of Human Services or the director's designee;
(9) The Director of the Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education of the Department of Human Services or the director's designee;
(10) The Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts or the director's designee;
(11) The Chair of the Arkansas Coalition for Juvenile Justice or the chair's designee;
(12) A sheriff to be appointed by the President of the Arkansas Sheriffs' Association;
(13) The Director of the Department of Arkansas State Police or the director's designee;
(14) The Chair of the State Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board or the chair's designee;
(15) One (1) member of the Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission to be appointed by the Chancellor of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences;
(16) A public defender who regularly appears in the juvenile division of a circuit court in the State of Arkansas to be appointed by the Director of the Arkansas Public Defender Commission;
(17) A prosecutor who regularly appears in the juvenile division of a circuit court in the State of Arkansas to be appointed by the Prosecutor Coordinator;
(18) An attorney ad litem to be appointed by the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts;
(19) A physician with special knowledge and experience in the treatment of children who have been abused or neglected;
(20) The Chief of Staff of Arkansas Children's Hospital or his or her designee;
(21) Two (2) members to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate with specialized knowledge, skills, or experience in the area of child welfare or the prevention of child abuse and neglect;
(22) Two (2) members to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives with specialized knowledge, skills, or experience in the area of child welfare or the prevention of child abuse and neglect;
(23) Four (4) members to be appointed by the Governor;
(24) Chief Counsel of the Department of Human Services or his or her designee; and
(25) A representative or an employee of a child advocacy center in the state.
(c) (1) The Chair of the Senate Interim Committee on Children and Youth or the chair's designee shall call the first meeting within ninety (90) days of the adjournment of the regular session of the General Assembly and shall serve as chair at the first meeting.
(2) At the first meeting, the members of the task force shall elect from its membership a chair and other officers as needed for the transaction of its business.
(3) (A) The task force shall conduct its meetings in Pulaski County at the State Capitol.
(B) Meetings shall be held at least one (1) time every three (3) months, but may occur more often at the call of the chair.
(d) If any vacancy occurs on the task force, the vacancy shall be filled by the same process as the original appointment.
(e) The task force shall establish rules and procedures for conducting its business.
(f) (1) Nonlegislator members of the task force shall serve without compensation.
(2) Legislator members shall be entitled to reimbursement for per diem and mileage at the same rate and from the same source as provided by law for members of the General Assembly attending meetings of interim committees.
(3) The task force may be allowed study expenses for the calling of expert witnesses to testify, if the expenditure is approved by the Legislative Council. If the expenditure is approved, payment shall be made by the Bureau of Legislative Research from the appropriation for interim committee study expenses.
(g) A majority of the members of the task force shall constitute a quorum for transacting any business of the task force.
(h) The bureau shall provide staff for the task force.
(i) The task force shall submit its final report to the House Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor; the Senate Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor; the House Interim Committee on Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs; and the Senate Interim Committee on Children and Youth. The final report shall be submitted no later than November 30, 2008.
(j) The task force shall cease to exist on December 31, 2010, and this section shall expire on December 31, 2010.