ENGROSSED SENATE
BILL NO. 697 	By:	Gumm and Leftwich of the Senate

			and

		Dorman of the House

[ state government - specifying membership of the Children’s Cabinet - codification - effective date -		emergency ]

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 10.4a of Title 74, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A.  There is hereby created the Children’s Cabinet to develop, recommend and implement coordinated state policies to improve the health and welfare of children and families.
B.  The Children’s Cabinet shall be composed of fifteen (15) members as follows:
1.  The Lieutenant Governor, who shall serve as chair of the Children’s Cabinet;
2.  The Director of the Department of Human Services;
3.  The Executive Director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs;
4.  The State Commissioner of Health; 
5.  The Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services;
6.  The State Superintendent of Public Instruction;
7.  The Director of the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth;
8.  The Commissioner of Labor;
9.  The State Treasurer;
10.  The Commissioner of Public Safety;
11.  The Director of the Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission;
12.  The Director of the State Department of Rehabilitation Services;
13.  The Commissioner of Insurance;
14.  The Administrator of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority; and
15.  The executive director of a child advocacy organization in the state, to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, who shall serve as vice-chair of the Children’s Cabinet.
C.  The Children’s Cabinet shall:
1.  Promote a stable, safe, and healthy environment for children and families;
2.  Provide a regular forum for state agencies to meet and develop coordinated policy recommendations; and
3.  Develop, no later than July 1, 2010, a strategic plan that shall provide a long-term children’s policy for the state.  The plan shall:
a.	identify the major issues facing children and youth under the age of twenty-one (21) in the state,
b.	outline potential long-term strategies and goals that the state can implement to address the issues and improve the overall quality of life for Oklahoma children,
c.	provide recommendations for policies that will maximize the success and opportunities for Oklahoma children to become self-sufficient and productive adults.  Issue areas may include academics, health and well-being, safety, job training and job access,
d.	provide recommendations for the design of a coordinated system to maximize outcomes among children and youth under age twenty-one (21), particularly those living in disadvantaged situations,
e.	establish priorities and strategies for the coordinated delivery of state interagency services for children and families,
f.	provide recommendations on streamlining the delivery of services to children, eliminating duplication of costs and services in existing agencies,
g.	provide measurable outcomes for each department, agency and program in the state that are consistent with the plan, and
h.	be coordinated with any other approved state plans relating to services for children and families.
D.  The Children’s Cabinet may consult with the Youth Advisory Alliance.  The Youth Advisory Alliance shall be composed of youth ages fourteen (14) to twenty-one (21).  Each member of the Oklahoma Legislature may select one youth from their district to serve on the Youth Advisory Alliance.  Each Youth Advisory Alliance member shall serve for a two (2) year term.  The Youth Advisory Alliance shall meet at least twice each year and shall:
1.  Identify and examine issues of importance to youth;
2.  Identify recommendations on potential solutions to issues facing youth; and
3.  Provide a report to the Children’s Cabinet on the issues and recommendations determined to be of importance to the Youth Advisory Alliance.
E.  The Children's Cabinet shall meet at least four (4) times per year.
F.  Staff support for the Children’s Cabinet shall be provided by the Office of Planning and Coordination in the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth.
G.  The Children’s Cabinet is authorized to solicit, receive and pool funds from the federal government, any political subdivision of the state or any individual, foundation or corporation, and may expend those funds for purposes that are consistent with this section.
H.  The Children’s Cabinet may make use of any resources, both public and private, that will provide information and analysis that assists in executing its statutory mission.
I.  Each member of the Children’s Cabinet shall name an employee to serve as a liaison to ensure coordination and communication among agencies and to address cross-jurisdictional issues in an efficient, effective and expeditious manner.
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective July 1, 2009.
SECTION 3.  It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
Passed the Senate the 25th day of February, 2009.

	
Presiding Officer 	of the Senate

Passed the House of Representatives the ____ day of __________, 2009.

	
Presiding Officer	of the House
	of Representatives