Section 1101 – Child Welfare Improvement Council — Creation — Membership — Expenses.

• (1)
  • (a) There is established the Child Welfare Improvement Council composed of no more than 25 members who are appointed by the division.
  • (b) Except as required by Subsection (1)(c), as terms of current council members expire, the division shall appoint each new member or reappointed member to a four-year term.
  • (c) Notwithstanding the requirements of Subsection (1)(b), the division shall, at the time of appointment or reappointment, adjust the length of terms to ensure that the terms of council members are staggered so that approximately half of the council is appointed every two years.
  • (d) The council shall have geographic, economic, gender, cultural, and philosophical diversity.
  • (e) When a vacancy occurs in the membership for any reason, the division shall appoint the replacement for the unexpired term.

• (2) The council shall elect a chairperson from the council’s membership at least biannually.

• (3) A member may not receive compensation or benefits for the member’s service, but may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with:
  • (a) Section 63A-3-106;
  • (b) Section 63A-3-107; and
  • (c) rules made by the Division of Finance under Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107.

• (4)
  • (a) The council shall hold a public meeting quarterly.
  • (b) Within budgetary constraints, meetings may also be held on the call of the chair, or of a majority of the members.
  • (c) A majority of the members currently appointed to the council constitute a quorum at any meeting and the action of the majority of the members present shall be the action of the council.

• (5) The council shall:
  • (a) advise the division on matters relating to abuse and neglect;
  • (b) recommend to the division how funds contained in the Children’s Account, created in Section 80-2-501, should be allocated;
  • (c) conduct public hearings to receive public comment on an abuse or neglect prevention or treatment program under Section 80-2-503;
  • (d) provide comments to the division on a proposed amendment to performance standards in accordance with Section 80-2-1102; and
  • (e) provide community and professional input on the performance of the division.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 334, 2022 General Session