COMMISSION LEGISLATION

Commission on Disproportionality in Youth Services

Legislation passed by the Indiana General Assembly

Budget bill, Section 173

2007

NAME: The Commission on Disproportionality in Youth Services

PURPOSE: The commission is established to develop and provide an implementation plan to evaluate and address disproportionate representation of youth of color in the use of youth services in juvenile justice, child welfare, education and mental health services.

MEMBERSHIP: 33 members appointed by the Governor, Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate. These appointments must be made no later than August 15, 2007. The commission has since been granted an extension to Oct. 15.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Review Indiana’s public and private child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health, and education service delivery systems to evaluate disproportionality rates.
2. Review federal, state and local funds appropriated to address disproportionality.
3. Review best practice standards addressing disproportionality.
4. Examine the qualifications and training of youth service providers and make recommendations for training curriculum and other necessary changes.
5. Recommend methods to improve use of available public and private funds.
6. Provide information about unmet needs and make recommendations to develop resources to meet identified needs.
7. Suggest policy, program and legislative changes related to youth services to accomplish:
   1. Enhancement of the quality of youth services.
   2. Identify resources to promote change.
   3. Reduction of the disproportionality in the use of youth services by youth of color.
8. Prepare a report of the commission findings and recommendations, and the presentation of an implementation plan to address disproportionate representation of youth of color.

The commission shall submit the report to the governor and the legislative council not later than August 15, 2008. The report shall be made available to the public by December 1, 2008.

APPROPRIATION: $125,000.00 for the period of July 1, 2007 and ending December 31, 2008, to carry out the purposes of this law, including the hiring by the chairperson of an individual to serve only to assist the chairperson and members with research, statistical analysis, meeting support and drafting of the report.

MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION:

1. The dean or faculty member of an Indiana accredited graduate school of public administration, social work, education, mental health or juvenile justice, who shall serve as chairperson for the commission.
2. The Superintendent of public instruction or the superintendent’s designee
3. Director of the Division of Mental Health and Addictions or the director’s designee
4.  The executive Director of Indiana Criminal Justice Institute or the director’s designee
5.  The Director of the Indiana Department of Child Services or the director’s designee
6. Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Correction or the commissioner’s designee
7. DCS County Director from one of the most densely populated Counties
8. One Faculty member from an accredited Indiana college or university that offers degrees in public administration, social work, education, mental health or juvenile justice. 
9. Prosecuting Attorney.                                                                
10. A Juvenile Court Judge.     
11. An attorney who specializes in Juvenile Law.
12. A representative of the Indiana Minority Health Association.
13. A health care provider who specializes in pediatric or emergency medicine.                                         
14.  A Public Agency Family Case Manager.
15.  A Private Agency Children’s Service Social Worker.
16.  A School Counselor or Social Worker.
17. A representative of Law Enforcement.                                                                   
18. A Guardian Ad Litem, Court Appointed Special Advocate or other child Advocate.
19. The Chairperson of an established advocacy group in Indiana that has previously investigated the issue of disproportionality in use of youth services.                                                                                                                                                                           
20. A young adult who has had previous involvement with one (1) youth service.
21. A representative of foster parents or adoptive parents.
22. A representative of a state teachers association or a public school teacher.
23. A child psychologist or child psychiatrist.                                                                              
24. a representative of a family support group
25. A representative from National Alliance on Mental Illness.
26. A representative of the Commission on the social status of Black males.       
27. A representative of Indiana Juvenile Detention Association.
28. A representative of the Commission on Hispanic/Latino affairs.
29. A representative of Indiana Civil Rights Commission. 
30. Two members of House (not from same political party).
31. Two members of Senate (not from the same political party).

The Governor shall appoint the members under subdivisions 1, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, & 29.

The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint the members under subdivisions 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, and 30.

The president pro tempore of the senate shall appoint the members under subdivisions 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, and 31. 

EXPIRATION: The legislation for this commission expires January 1, 2009.