GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1995

S	1 

SENATE BILL 105*

Short Title:  Minority Males Study Continuation.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Senators Martin of Guilford, Edwards, Gulley, and Jordan.

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Referred to:  Appropriations.

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February 1, 1995

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE STATUS OF MINORITY MALES STUDY COMMISSION.
Whereas, quality of life indicators related to racial minority male children and youth suggest that, for whatever reasons, this population is disproportionately represented at the negative end of the scale; and
Whereas, it is in the best interest of North Carolina citizens that serious efforts be undertaken to identify and develop successful approaches for moving racial minority male children and youth toward the positive end of the scale; and
Whereas, it is often asserted that in addressing problems, efforts should not be focused on a specific identified group of persons since whatever problems exist are usually not limited to that identified group; and
Whereas, the tendency to address problems related to an identified group only in the context of that total population often leads to the continuation and escalation of the problem areas; and
Whereas, it is in the best interest of North Carolina citizens that a coordinated strategy be developed for implementing measures designed to yield positive results for racial minority male children and youth; and
Whereas, the Legislative Research Commission in the 1993 General Assembly selected to study minority male children and youth under its authority pursuant to G.S. 120-30.10(b) and (c); and
Whereas, the Committee on Minority Males in its report to the 1993 Legislative Research Commission found that it did not have sufficient time to complete its work and recommended that the study of minority male children and youth be continued by the 1995 General Assembly; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  (a)	The Status of Minority Males Study Commission is created.  The Commission shall consist of 16 members, as follows:
(1)	Five Senators and three public members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.  Of the public members, at least one should bring a research-based focus to the Commission; and
(2)	Five Representatives and three public members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.  Of the public members, at least one should possess a background in administering community-based programs that work with racial minority male children and youth and their families.
(b)	Initial appointments to the Commission shall be made before September 15, 1995.  The first meeting of the Commission shall be held no later than October 13, 1995.
Sec. 2.  The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall designate one Senator as cochair and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate one Representative as cochair. 
Sec. 3.  The Commission shall be authorized to:
(1)	Gather accurate and reliable data and research information pertaining to the status of racial minority male children and youth in North Carolina and other states;
(2)	Identify and visit programs and other efforts within and outside North Carolina that appear to be successful in yielding significant positive results for racial minority male children and youth;
(3)	Consult with higher education faculty members and other persons who have been engaged in extensive research and observation related to these issues, and encourage their direct involvement in the activities of the Commission;
(4)	Conduct hearings throughout the State for the purpose of obtaining meaningful information regarding successful programs and efforts related to these concerns;
(5)	Identify, consult, and meet with representatives of national, regional, and state-level organizations and agencies that could be particularly helpful in addressing these concerns;
(6)	Devise recommendations as to steps that should be taken to address these concerns – steps to be taken separately and collectively by:
a.	State government;
b.	Local governments;
c.	Public schools and higher education institutions;
d.	Nonprofit organizations, including community-based organizations, with a particular emphasis on those with direct ties to families of these children and youth;
e.	Foundations;
f.	Religious institutes;
g.	Civic organizations;
h.	Business and industry;
i.	Other entities; and
(7)	Determine the extent and categories of fiscal and human resources needed to address the identified concerns.
Sec. 4.  In the study, particular emphasis should be placed on programs and efforts that have been successful in imparting:
(1)	Self-respect and respect for others;
(2)	Responsibility for self and others;
(3)	Positive male-female and family relationships;
(4)	Understanding as to the extent to which self-motivation, inspiration, positive self-image, and vision impact upon the level of success in life;
(5)	Significant understanding of the principles undergirding the economic, civic, and social structures of the State and nation;
(6)	A meaningful sense of the relationship between choices and consequences;
(7)	Healthy physical and emotional lifestyles; and
(8)	Alternatives to violence and other nonproductive modes of human behavior.
Sec. 5.  The Commission shall review the work of the 1993 Minority Males Committee of the Legislative Research Commission, which shall include reviewing reports of studies that committee directed as a part of its recommendations.  The Commission shall consider the feasibility of expanding the scope of the study to address problems and issues pertaining to minority female children and youth.
Sec. 6.  The Commission may make an interim report of its findings and recommendations to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on or before the first day of the 1996 Regular Session of the 1995 General Assembly.  The Commission shall submit a final report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly on or before the first day of the 1997 Session by filing the report with the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.  Upon filing its final report, the Commission shall terminate.
Sec. 7.  The Commission, while in the discharge of official duties, may exercise all the powers provided for under the provisions of G.S. 120-19, and G.S. 120-19.1 through G.S. 120-19.4.  The Commission may meet at any time upon the joint call of the cochairs.  The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building.
Sec. 8.  Members of the Commission shall receive subsistence and travel expenses at the rates set forth in G.S. 120-3.1.
Sec. 9.  The Commission may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services as provided by G.S. 120-32.02.  The Legislative Services Commission, through the Legislative Administrative Officer, shall assign professional staff to assist in the work of the Commission. The House of Representatives' and the Senate's Supervisors of Clerks shall assign clerical staff to the Commission, upon the direction of the Legislative Services Commission.  The expenses relating to clerical employees shall be borne by the Commission.
Sec. 10.  When a vacancy occurs in the membership of the Commission, the vacancy shall be filled by the same appointing officer who made the initial appointment.
Sec. 11.  All State departments and agencies and local governments and their subdivisions shall furnish the Commission with any information in their possession or available to them.
Sec. 12.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the General Assembly the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for the 1995-96 fiscal year and the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for the 1996-97 fiscal year for the expenses of the Commission.
Sec. 13.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1995.