2006 Massachusetts Code - Chapter 28A — Section 8. Advisory council; duties; report and recommendations.

Section 8. There shall be a statewide advisory council to the office to consist of the secretary of health and human services, the director of economic development, the director of housing and community development and the chairman of the board of education, or their designees, 12 members appointed by the secretary of health and human services, with the approval of the governor, and 16 members elected by the local councils for children established under section 7. All appointed or elected members shall serve for terms of three years. The chairman shall be appointed by the secretary of health and human services, with the approval of the governor, from the appointed or elected members and shall serve as chairman at the pleasure of the secretary; provided, however, that no member shall serve as chairman for more than six years. Appointive or elective members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

Said advisory council shall:—

(a)

(1) assist the commissioner in coordinating the efforts of all public agencies concerned with services to children;

(2) advise the commissioner on policy, planning and priorities of need in the commonwealth for services to children;

(3) review regulations proposed by the office and make recommendations to the commissioner in regard thereto;

(4) suggest new regulations to the commissioner.

(5) annually review the programs and policies of the office;

(6) review, in conjunction with the office, at least biannually, the organization, structure and functioning of services to children in the commonwealth; and

(b)

Issue a report to the governor, the general court and the secretaries of all executive offices annually on the first Monday of July. The report shall include but not be limited to the council’s goals for action during the next following fiscal year and the following four fiscal years; a review and evaluation of the progress made as the result of such recommendations for the preceding two fiscal years; the council’s recommendations on priorities for action to be undertaken by the office during the following fiscal year and the following four fiscal years; and a review and evaluation of the progress made as the result of such recommendations for the preceding two fiscal years.

The office shall provide staff assistance to the council.