It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 42-74-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-74 entitled "Children's Code Commission" is hereby amended to read as follows:
42-74-1. Children's code commission. -- (a) There shall be a continuing children's code commission which shall be charged with the duty of studying, revising, and codifying, if possible, all laws affecting the health and welfare of children.
(b) The children's code commission shall consist of
seventeen (17) {ADD twenty-one (21) ADD} members, each of whom
shall serve a two-year term, expiring on the second anniversary
of each individual's appointment or on the date that their
respective successors are appointed and qualified, whichever is
later. The membership of the children's code commission shall
consist of three (3) members of the senate {ADD not more than two
(2) from the same political party ADD} and three (3) members of the
house of representatives {ADD not more than two (2) from the same
political party ADD} to be appointed by the senate majority leader
and the speaker of the house of representatives, respectively;
three (3) representatives from the {ADD director of the ADD}
department of children, youth, and families {ADD or his or her
designee ADD} ; {ADD the director of the department of human services
or his or her designee; the director of the department of health
or his or her designee the director of the department of
education or his or her designee; ADD} seven (7) {ADD nine (9) ADD}
members of the community at large to be appointed by the governor
for their interest and expertise in the field under
consideration; and the child advocate for the state, or his
or her designee {ADD and the chief judge of the family court or his
or her designee ADD} . The committee shall select one of its members
as chairperson.
(c) The children's code commission shall meet at least twelve (12) times a year and shall be charged with delivering on or before December 15 of each calendar year its report to the governor and the legislature regarding its findings for that calendar year. The commission's annual report shall include but not be limited to its recommendations for revisions, amendments, additions, or consolidation of the laws affecting children to insure that these laws promote, safeguard, and protect the well-being of children.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
