Tennessee § 37-3-102 - Creation — Appointments — Meetings — Reimbursement.

§ 37-3-102. Creation — Appointments — Meetings — Reimbursement.

There is created a permanent commission to be known as the commission on children and youth. The commission shall serve as an informational resource and advocacy agency for the efficient and effective planning, enhancement and coordination of state, regional and local policies, programs and services to promote and protect the health, well-being and development of all children and youth in Tennessee. The commission shall consist of twenty-one (21) members, to be appointed by the governor on the basis of broadly based and demonstrated leadership, interest, knowledge and activities concerning the problems and needs of children and youth. At least one (1) member of the commission shall be appointed from each of the state's nine (9) development districts. Membership shall include residents of urban as well as rural areas of the state. In making each appointment to the commission, the governor shall remain cognizant of, and shall give due consideration to, any applicable federal criteria that may be imposed pursuant to the provisions of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, compiled in 42 U.S.C. § 5601 et seq., as amended, and shall also remain cognizant of, and give due consideration to, the intent of this part that the commission shall act to promote and protect the health, well-being and development of all children and youth in Tennessee. In making appointments to the commission, the governor shall strive to ensure that at least one (1) person serving on the commission is sixty (60) years of age or older and that at least one (1) person serving on the commission is a member of a racial minority. Each regular appointment to the commission shall be for a term of three (3) years, and every appointee shall serve until a successor has been appointed and has qualified. No member of the commission may be appointed to serve more than three (3) consecutive three-year terms. Any vacancy occurring on the commission shall be filled by appointment only for the remainder of the unexpired term. Following any member's three (3) successive absences from commission meetings, the chair may request the governor to declare a vacancy and to fill the unexpired term. The commission shall maintain a permanent office in Nashville and shall meet at least four (4) times each year to transact business and perform its duties. The commission may meet at such other times and places as it deems necessary. The governor shall appoint one (1) member of the commission to serve as chair for a term of three (3) years. The commission may establish such subcommittees and ad hoc committees, and may convene such interdisciplinary advisory groups, as it may deem necessary to efficiently and effectively perform its duties and responsibilities. Members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be reimbursed for travel and other expenses actually incurred in the performance of their official duties. Such reimbursement shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of the comprehensive out-of-state travel regulations as promulgated by the department of finance and administration and approved by the attorney general and reporter. Acts 1988, ch. 979, § 2; 1988, ch. 1013, § 12; 2015, ch. 422, § 1. Compiler's Notes. The commission on children and youth, created by this section, terminates June 30, 2024. See §§ 4-29-112 , 4-29-245 . Acts 2020, ch. 657, § 3 provided that the commission on children and youth shall appear before the senate government operations committee no later than April 30, 2021, to update the committee on the commission's progress in addressing the findings set forth in the June 2019 performance audit report issued by the comptroller of the treasury and any other matters related to the commission's function. For creation of the Tennessee juvenile justice commission, and the involvement of the former children's services commission personnel therein, see Executive Order No. 56 (October 26, 1983). For creation of cabinet council on services to children and youth, see Executive Order No. 19 (June 10, 1988). Former part 1, §§ 37-3-101 — 37-3-110 (Acts 1980, ch. 865, §§ 1, 3-9, 13; 1985, ch. 478, § 34; T.C.A., §§ 37-7-101 — 37-7-109 ), concerning the children's services commission, was repealed by Acts 1988, ch. 979, § 2. Amendments. The 2015 amendment deleted the first sentence of (c) which read, “Initial appointments to the commission shall be as follows: seven (7) members shall each be appointed to a term of one (1) year, seven (7) members shall each be appointed to a term of two (2) years, and seven (7) members shall each be appointed to a term of three (3) years.” and substituted “Each” for “Thereafter, each” at the beginning of the second sentence of (c). Effective Dates. Acts 2015, ch. 422, § 3. May 8, 2015. Cross-References. Membership in child sexual abuse task force, § 37-1-603 .