Section 9906 - Family justice center council(a) The Family Justice Center Council is hereby established.(b) The Family Justice Center Council has the powers and duties necessary to oversee and ensure the operation of Family Justice Centers.(c) The Council consists of the following members: (1) The Chief Judge of the Family Court, or the designee of the Chief Judge of the Family Court.(2) One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.(3) One member of the Senate, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.(4) The Attorney General, or the designee of the Attorney General.(5) The Child Advocate, or the designee of the Child Advocate.(6) A representative of the law-enforcement community appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security.(7) The Secretary of the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families, or the designee of the Secretary of the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families.(8) The Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services, or the designee of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services.(9) The Secretary of the Department of Labor, or the designee of the Secretary of the Department of Labor.(10) Ten at-large members who are selected by Council members under paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(7) of this section. The Council members selecting the at-large members must consider geographic diversity and ensure representation of each county when selecting an at-large member. An at-large member is a full member of the Council. The at-large members must be comprised of the following: a. One member representing advocates or advocacy agencies that work on behalf of victims and survivors of domestic violence.b. One member representing advocates or advocacy agencies that work on behalf of victims and survivors of sexual assault.c. One member representing advocates or advocacy agencies that work on behalf of victims and survivors of human trafficking.d. One member representing advocates or advocacy agencies that work on behalf of child survivors.e. One member representing a nonprofit agency that provides culturally or linguistically appropriate victim services.f. One member representing the health care community including mental health providers and sexual assault nurse examiners.g. One member representing legal service providers or legal advocates that work on behalf of victims and survivors.h. One member of the public who is a survivor of domestic violence.i. One member of the public who is a survivor of sexual assault.j. One member of the public who is a survivor of human trafficking.(d) The term of an at-large member selected by the Council is 3 years. An at-large member may be selected for a term of less than 3 years to ensure terms expire on a staggered basis. At-large members are eligible for re-selection.(e) In case of a vacancy before the expiration of an at-large member's term, the Council shall select a successor within 60 days of the vacancy.(f) A member may be removed by the Council if the member does not attend 2 or more consecutive Council meetings.(g) The Council must meet at least 4 times per year. Nine members constitutes a quorum.(h) The Chief Judge of the Family Court shall convene the initial meeting of the Council. At the initial meeting of the Council, a Chair and Vice Chair must be elected by the Council members. Thereafter, the Council shall elect a Chair and Vice Chair biennially, at the first meeting of the calendar year in odd-numbered years, to serve a 2-year term. The Vice Chair's duty shall be to act as Chair in the absence of the Chair.(i) The Chair must convene and preside over meetings of the Council and prepare an agenda for meetings.(j) The Council shall establish committees composed of Council members and other knowledgeable individuals, as it deems advisable, to assist in planning, policy, goal and priority recommendations and developing implementation plans to achieve the purposes of the Council.(k) The Council shall promulgate rules of procedure governing its operations, provided that they are in accordance with Chapters 100 and 101 of Title 29.(l) The Council shall submit a written report of its activities and recommendations to the Governor, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Clerk of the House, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Director and Librarian of the Division of Research at least once every year on or before October 15.Added by Laws 2023, ch. 508,s 1, eff. 10/25/2024.Section 2 of the 2024 enacting legislation provides that this section takes effect immediately and is to be implemented as funds, personnel, and physical space become available.