GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

EXTRA SESSION 1994

S	1 

SENATE BILL 38*

Short Title:  Children, Youth, Families.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Senators Martin of Guilford, Perdue; Hoyle, Walker, Harris, Marshall, Johnson, Odom, Edwards, Lucas, Plyler, Daniel, Albertson, Gunter, Sands, Seymour, Ward, Tally, and Conder.
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Referred to:  Juveniles/Prevention.
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February 9, 1994

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO CREATE THE GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ON CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  Article 3 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Part to read:
"Part 4C.
"Governor's Council on Children, Youth, and Families.
"§ 143B-152.  Intent; purpose.
It is the intent of the General Assembly to (i)	promote and encourage collaboration and collaborative planning and delivery of services among State agencies that serve the needs of children and families, (ii) make more effective use of existing federal and state resources and programs, (iii) streamline the delivery of services and eliminate duplication, and (iv) promote and enhance state-level leadership in achieving these goals.
The purpose of the Governor's Council on Children, Youth, and Families is to (i)	provide state-level leadership on issues affecting children, youth, and families, including children with special needs, (ii) foster collaboration and coordination between and among the many State agencies with responsibility for providing services to children, youth, and families, (iii) help develop and carry out a unified and comprehensive long-range children's and families' agenda, and (iv) promote accountability for achieving the State's goals in a timely and effective manner.
"§ 143B-152.1.  Governor's Council on Children, Youth, and Families; creation; purpose; meetings.
(a)	There is created a Governor's Council on Children, Youth, and Families in the Department of Human Resources for budgetary and staffing purposes only.  The Council shall consist of the following members:
(1)	The Governor's Senior Education Advisor;
(2)	The Chair of the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc.,
(3)	The Superintendent of Public Instruction;
(4)	The Secretary of Environment, Health and Natural Resources;
(5)	The Secretary of Human Resources;
(6)	The Secretary of Cultural Resources;
(7)	The Secretary of Commerce;
(8)	The Secretary of Transportation;
(9)	The Commissioner of Labor;
(10)	The President of the North Carolina Community College System;
(11)	The President of The University of North Carolina; and
(12)	The Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts.
(b)	The Council shall report biannually to the Governor on its progress in meeting the intent and purpose set forth in G.S. 143B-152.  The Governor may convene the Council at other times during the year as necessary to achieve these goals.  The Governor shall chair the Council.
(c)	The Governor shall set the agenda for the Council's meetings and shall take into consideration its reports in setting policy for children, youth, and families.
"§ 143B-152.2.  Interagency Task Force on Children, Youth, and Families; creation; purpose; members.
(a)	There is created the Interagency Task Force on Children, Youth, and Families in the Department of Human Resources for staffing and budgetary purposes only.  The Task Force shall advise and assist the Governor's Council on Children, Youth, and Families in carrying out the Council's statutory responsibilities set forth under this Part.  The Department of Human Resources, shall provide staff and clerical support to the Interagency Task force, but the Task Force shall exercise its statutory powers and duties independently of the Department.
(b)	Members of the Interagency Task Force on Children, Youth, and Families shall be selected as follows:
(1)	The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall each name four legislators from their respective houses to serve on the Task force.  In making these appointments, consideration shall be given to chairs of committees with responsibility for children's programs.  If a member appointed pursuant to this subdivision ceases to be a member of the General Assembly, the officer who made the appointment shall fill the vacancy as prescribed for the initial appointment;
(2)	The following members of the Governor's Council on Children, Youth and Families shall name two or more representatives to serve on the Task Force:
a.	The Superintendent of Public Instruction;
b.	The Governor's Senior Education Advisor;
c.	The Secretary of Human Resources; and
d.	The Secretary of Environment, Health and Natural Resources.
(3)	The following members of the Governor's Council on Children, Youth and Families shall name one or more representatives to serve on the Task Force:
a.	The Secretary of Cultural Resources;
b.	The Secretary of Commerce;
c.	The Secretary of Transportation;
d.	The Commissioner of Labor;
e.	The President of the State Community Colleges System;
f.	The President of The University of North Carolina System; and
g.	The Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts.
(4)	Other members shall include:
a.	The director of the N. C. Cooperative Extension Service;
b.	The chair of the N. C. Interagency Coordinating Council;
c.	The chair of the Employment Security Commission; and
d.	The President of the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center.
(5)	The Governor may name additional representatives to carry out the purposes of the Task Force.
Vacancies in membership of members appointed pursuant to subdivisions (3) and (4) of this section shall be filled by the appointing authority of the initial member in the manner prescribed for the initial appointment.
"§ 143B-152.3.  Council and Task Force convened; coordination with other agencies; funding.
(a)	The Governor shall convene the Council within 60 days of the effective date of this Part.  The Interagency Task Force shall meet as often and at such times as are necessary to carry out its statutory responsibilities set forth in this Part.
(b)	The Interagency Task Force shall, to the maximum extent possible, coordinate its efforts with those of public and private agencies and groups, whose mission it is to improve the health and well-being of children, youth and families in North Carolina, and shall consult with interested individuals, including low income parents and parents of children with special needs.
(c)	The Department shall fund the Council and the Interagency Task Force within funds available to it."
Sec. 2.  This act is effective upon ratification.