JOINT STUDY ORDER ESTABLISHING THE COMMISSION TO STUDY CHILD ABUSE
ORDERED, the Senate concurring, that the Commission on Child Abuse is established as follows.
1. Commission established. The Commission on Child Abuse, referred to in this order as the "commission," is established to study the prevention of and responses to child abuse.
2. Membership. The commission consists of the following 5 members, each of whom must possess a strong interest or expertise in the problem of child abuse:
A. Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; and
B. Three members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House.
When making the appointments, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House shall give preference to members from the following committees: the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary, the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services.
3. Appointments; chairs; convening of commission. All appointments must be made no later than 30 days following passage of this order. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been made. The first named Senate member is the Senate chair and the first named House of Representatives member is the House chair. The first meeting must be called by the chairs no later than June 30, 2000.
4. Duties. The commission shall examine the current policies and public and private programs and resources related to physical and sexual abuse of children.
To this end, the commission may:
A. Hold public hearings to collect information from individuals and organizations to:
1. Define the scope and nature of the problem of child abuse;
2. Consider abuse of children who are now adults, with special emphasis on persons who, as children, were in the care or custody of the State;
3. Identify public and private programs addressing child abuse and child abuse prevention;
4. Identify public and private resources and potential resources to prevent and respond to child abuse;
5. Identify public and private resources for support and treatment of victims of child abuse; and
6. Identify means to coordinate the available programs and resources to prevent and respond to child abuse;
B. Consult with the following:
1. Child abuse clinical experts;
2. Medical care providers;
3. Child abuse prevention specialists;
4. Counselors and therapists with experience in treating child abuse;
5. Teachers and guidance counselors;
6. District attorneys;
7. Legal experts in child abuse prevention and proceedings;
8. The Commissioner of Human Services;
9. The Attorney General; and
10. Any other person that the commission determines would be helpful to the commission's study; and
C. Examine any other issues to further the purposes of the study.
5. Staff assistance. Upon approval of the Legislative Council, the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission.
6. Compensation. Members of the commission are entitled to receive the legislative per diem as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2 and reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses for attendance at authorized meetings of the commission.
7. Report. The commission shall submit a report along with any recommended legislation to the 120th Legislature no later than November 1, 2000. If the commission requires an extension of time to make its report, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant the extension.
8. Commission budget. The chairs of the commission, with assistance from the commission staff, shall administer the commission budget. Within 10 days after its first meeting, the commission shall present a work plan and proposed budget to the Legislative Council for its approval. The commission may not incur expenses that would result in the commission's exceeding its approved budget. Upon request from the commission, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council or the executive director's designee shall provide the commission chairs and staff with a status report on the commission budget, expenditures incurred and paid and available funds.
Passed by the Senate April 24, 2000 and the House of Representatives April 25, 2000.
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