CHAPTER 12. COMMISSION ON THE SOCIAL STATUS OF BLACK MALES
IC 12-13-12
Chapter 12. Commission on the Social Status of Black Males
IC 12-13-12-1
Legislative findings
Sec. 1. The 1992 interim study committee on the problems of
black males created by the legislative council has found that the
following conditions exist:
(1) Statistical studies chronicling the status of black males in
American society reveal startling and disturbing conditions and
trends.
(2) By all indicia measuring achievement, success, and quality
of life in American society, black males are facing a prodigious
struggle for survival while fighting formidable opponents.
(3) Black males make up only five and one-half percent (5.5%)
of the population of the United States but are the victims of
forty-four percent (44%) of the nation's homicides annually and
comprise forty-six percent (46%) of the nation's prison
population.
(4) Statistics show that one (1) of every twenty-two (22) black
males will die as a result of homicide and that one (1) of every
six (6) black males will be arrested before becoming nineteen
(19) years of age.
(5) A major proportion of black males in America is virtually
trapped in urban areas defined by poverty, violence, and drug
abuse.
(6) Black males suffer from more debilitating health problems,
a higher death rate, and a lower life expectancy than males in
other ethnic and racial groups.
(7) Black females at least sixteen (16) years of age outnumber
black males by more than two million (2,000,000).
(8) Between 1973 and 1988 the average real annual income for
black males between twenty (20) and twenty-four (24) years of
age fell by more than fifty percent (50%).
(9) The increasing misfortunes and the social distress
bombarding black males in American society threaten the
survival of black males.
As added by P.L.143-1993, SEC.1.
IC 12-13-12-2
Commission established
Sec. 2. The commission on the social status of black males is
established.
As added by P.L.143-1993, SEC.1.
IC 12-13-12-3
Membership; appointment
Sec. 3. The commission consists of nineteen (19) members
appointed as follows:
(1) Two (2) members of the senate, who are not members of the
same political party, appointed by the president pro tempore of
the senate with the advice of the minority leader of the senate.
(2) Two (2) members of the house of representatives, who are
not members of the same political party, appointed by the
speaker of the house of representatives with the advice of the
minority leader of the house of representatives.
(3) The director of the division of family resources or the
director's designee.
(4) The director of the division of mental health and addiction
or the director's designee.
(5) The commissioner of the state department of health or the
commissioner's designee.
(6) The superintendent of public instruction or the
superintendent's designee.
(7) The commissioner of the department of correction or the
commissioner's designee.
(8) The director of the civil rights commission or the director's
designee.
(9) The commissioner of the Indiana department of
administration or the commissioner's designee.
(10) The lieutenant governor or the lieutenant governor's
designee.
(11) A minority business person, appointed by the governor.
(12) Three (3) persons appointed by the president pro tempore
of the senate who are not members of the general assembly. Not
more than two (2) of the persons appointed under this
subdivision may be members of the same political party.
(13) Three (3) persons appointed by the speaker of the house of
representatives who are not members of the general assembly.
Not more than two (2) of the persons appointed under this
subdivision may be members of the same political party.
As added by P.L.143-1993, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.117-1997,
SEC.1; P.L.215-2001, SEC.43; P.L.1-2006, SEC.186; P.L.145-2006,
SEC.76.
IC 12-13-12-4
Removal of members; vacancies, how filled; terms of legislative
members
Sec. 4. (a) A member of the commission may be removed at any
time by the member's appointing authority.
(b) The appointing authority shall fill a vacancy on the
commission by appointing a new member for the unexpired term.
(c) The terms of the legislative members expire at the election of
the general assembly following the appointments.
As added by P.L.143-1993, SEC.1.
IC 12-13-12-5
Chairperson and vice chairperson
Sec. 5. (a) At the first meeting of the commission each year, the
members shall elect:
(1) one (1) member to be the commission's chairperson; and
(2) one (1) member to be the commission's vice chairperson.
(b) A vacancy in the office of chairperson or vice chairperson
shall be filled by vote of the remaining members. The term of office
of a person chosen to fill a vacancy expires at the first meeting of the
commission the following year.
As added by P.L.143-1993, SEC.1.
IC 12-13-12-6
Duties; studies; proposal of measures
Sec. 6. (a) The commission shall make a systematic study of the
following:
(1) The conditions described in section 1 of this chapter.
(2) The reasons for the existence of those conditions.
(b) The commission shall propose measures to alleviate and
correct the underlying causes of the conditions described in section
1 of this chapter.
(c) The commission may study other topics suggested by the
legislative council or as directed by the chairperson of the
commission.
(d) The commission shall receive suggestions or comments
pertinent to the issues that the commission studies from members of
the general assembly, governmental agencies, public and private
organizations, and private citizens.
As added by P.L.143-1993, SEC.1.
IC 12-13-12-7
Staff and administrative support
Sec. 7. The division of family resources shall provide staff and
administrative support to the commission.
As added by P.L.143-1993, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.145-2006,
SEC.77.
IC 12-13-12-8
Meetings; when held
Sec. 8. The commission shall meet on call of the chairperson and
at the other times that the commission determines.
As added by P.L.143-1993, SEC.1.
IC 12-13-12-9
Quorum; vote required for action
Sec. 9. Eight (8) of the members of the commission is a quorum.
The affirmative votes of at least eight (8) voting members of the
commission are required for the commission to take final action.
As added by P.L.143-1993, SEC.1.
IC 12-13-12-10
Annual report
Sec. 10. The commission shall issue an annual report stating the
findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the commission. The
commission shall submit the report to the governor and the
legislative council. A report submitted under this section to the
legislative council must be in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6.
As added by P.L.143-1993, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.28-2004,
SEC.97.
IC 12-13-12-11
Per diem; reimbursement for expenses; allowances
Sec. 11. (a) Each member of the commission who is not a state
employee is entitled to the minimum salary per diem provided by
IC 4-10-11-2.1(b). The member is also entitled to reimbursement for
traveling expenses as provided under IC 4-13-1-4 and other expenses
actually incurred in connection with the member's duties as provided
in the state policies and procedures established by the Indiana
department of administration and approved by the budget agency.
(b) Each member of the commission who is a state employee is
entitled to reimbursement for traveling expenses as provided under
IC 4-13-1-4 and other expenses actually incurred in connection with
the member's duties as provided in the state policies and procedures
established by the Indiana department of administration and
approved by the budget agency.
(c) Each member of the commission who is a member of the
general assembly is entitled to receive the same per diem, mileage,
and travel allowances paid to members of the general assembly
serving on interim study committees created by the legislative
council.
As added by P.L.143-1993, SEC.1.
IC 12-13-12-12
Repealed
(Repealed by P.L.93-2003, SEC.2.)
IC 12-13-12-13
Special fund
Sec. 13. (a) The commission on the social status of black males
special fund is established to provide money for special projects of
the commission.
(b) The fund shall be administered by the treasurer of state.
(c) Expenses of administering the fund shall be paid from money
in the fund.
(d) The fund consists of gifts, contributions, and money donated
to the commission.
(e) The treasurer of state shall invest the money in the fund not
currently needed to meet the obligations of the fund in the same
manner as other public funds may be invested.
(f) Interest accrues to the fund.
(g) Money in the fund at the end of a state fiscal year does not
revert to the state general fund.
(h) Money in the fund is appropriated continuously for the
purpose stated in subsection (a).
As added by P.L.93-2003, SEC.1.