2006 Louisiana Laws - RS 46:2525 — Louisiana women\'s policy and research commission

§2525.  Louisiana Women's Policy and Research Commission

A.  The Louisiana Women's Policy and Research Commission (hereafter "commission") is established in the executive department, governor's Office on Women's Policy.

B.  The duties of the commission shall include but are not limited to the following:

(1)  Advising the governor, through the special assistant to the governor on women's policy, on the particular hardships, concerns, and needs that challenge women in Louisiana and their possible solutions.

(2)  Identifying and analyzing trends that negatively impact the health and prosperity of women in Louisiana.

(3)  Monitoring the status of women in Louisiana for the purpose of evaluating their economic, educational, health concerns, needs, and hardships.

C.  The commission shall submit detailed annual reports to the governor, through the special assistant to the governor on women's policy, which address the issues set forth in Subsection B of this Section.

D.  The commission shall consist of a maximum of twenty-six members.  The thirteen members serving pursuant to Paragraph (13) of this Subsection shall be appointed by the governor, subject to Senate confirmation, and serve terms concurrent with the appointing governor.  The commission shall be reflective of all geographic regions of the state and, as much as possible, shall consist of the following members:

(1)  The special assistant to the governor on women's policy.

(2)  The commissioner of administration or the commissioner's designee.

(3)  The secretary of the Department of Social Services or  the secretary's designee.

(4)  The secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals or the secretary's designee.

(5)  The superintendent of the Department of Education or the superintendent's designee.

(6)  The secretary of the Department of Labor or the secretary's designee.

(7)  The executive director of the Office on Women's Policy or the executive director's designee.

(8)  The executive director of the Children's Cabinet or the executive director's designee.

(9)  Two members of the Women's Legislative Caucus.

(10)  The commissioner of higher education or the commissioner's designee.

(11)  The chairperson of the Women's Legislative Caucus or her designee.

(12)  The secretary of the Department of Economic Development or the secretary's designee.

(13)  Thirteen Louisiana women who have significant academic or professional expertise in one or more of the following areas:

(a)  Business or industry.

(b)  Economics.

(c)  Education.

(d)  Demographics.

(e)  Public health.

(f)  Law.

(g)  Social science and/or social work.

(h)  Violence against women.

(i)   Gender studies.

(j)  Youth organization focused solely on girls.

(k)  Women's organization.

E.  The governor shall appoint the chairperson of the commission from its membership.  All other officers shall be elected by the membership of the commission.

F.  The commission shall meet at regularly scheduled intervals and at the call of the chairperson.

G.  Support staff for the commission and facilities for its meetings shall be provided by the governor's Office on Women's Policy.

H.  Commission members shall not receive additional compensation, a per diem, or travel expenses from the Office on Women's Policy.

Acts 2003, No. 668, §2, eff. June 27, 2003; Acts 2004, No. 518, §1.