2.__Jurisdiction.__The council shall examine issues of importance to youth, including, but not limited to, education, employment, strategies to increase youth participation in municipal government and State Government, safe environments for youth, substance abuse, emotional and physical health, foster care, poverty, homelessness and youth access to services on municipal and statewide bases.

3.__Membership.__The council consists of 21 voting members and 5 nonvoting members who are Maine residents in accordance with this subsection.__In appointing members, the appointing authorities shall consider geographic distribution and shall appoint at least one member from each of the 3 service regions of the Department of Human Services.__Members shall serve for terms of 2 years, except that the appointing authorities shall appoint 1/2 of the members first appointed to the council to terms of one year.

A.__The President of the Senate shall appoint 10 members as follows:

(1)__Six youths who are students in secondary schools or who are enrolled in programs that lead to a secondary school diploma or certificate of attendance or a general equivalency diploma;

(2)__One youth who is enrolled in an equivalent instruction program under Title 20-A, chapter 211, subchapter I-A;

(3)__Two students at postsecondary educational institutions located in the State; and

(4)__One member of the Senate whose term coincides with the term of office in the Senate.

B.__The Speaker of the House shall appoint 11 members as follows:

(1)__Six youths who are students in secondary schools or who are enrolled in programs that lead to a secondary school diploma or certificate of attendance or a general equivalency diploma;

(2)__One youth who is enrolled in an equivalent instruction program under Title 20-A, chapter 211, subchapter I-A;

(3)__Two students at postsecondary educational institutions located within the State; and

(4)__Two members of the House of Representatives whose terms coincide with their terms of office in the House of Representatives.

C.__The members of the Children's Cabinet, established pursuant to Title 5, section 19131, serve ex officio and may not vote.

4.__Chairs.__At the first meeting of each calendar year, the members shall elect one of their youth members to serve as cochair for a term of one year.__The member of the House of Representatives who is the first appointed by the Speaker shall serve as cochair.

5.__Cooperation with Department of Education.__The council shall work cooperatively with the Department of Education regarding the granting of school credit for council service and the integration of council experience into the learning results curriculum for leadership and government.

6.__Priorities.__The council shall set priorities and shall determine the function of subcommittees, standards of conduct, process, procedures and the use of technology to convene meetings.__Council members shall review and consider the procedures and rules used by the Legislature as they may be appropriate for use as models for the council.

7.__Communication.__The council may provide testimony on legislation pending before the Legislature.

8.__Compensation.__Members of the council who are Legislators are entitled to the legislative per diem and to reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in order to serve on the council as provided in Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 54-C.__All other members who are not otherwise reimbursed for their service on the council are entitled to compensation for reasonable expenses incurred in order to serve on the council as provided in Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 54-C.

9.__Freedom of access.__Meetings of the council are public meetings and all records of the council are public records as defined by Title 1, section 402, subsection 3.

10.__Staff.__The Office of Policy and Legal Analysis and the Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service shall provide staff assistance to the council.

Sec. 2. 5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§54-C is enacted to read:

54-C. Legislative Legislative 3 MRSA

Legislature YouthPer Diem §168-A

Advisory and Expenses

Council for Legis-

lators and

Expenses Only

for Certain

Members

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes the Legislative Youth Advisory Council, which is composed primarily of youth and student members, to provide advice to the Legislature and its committees, commissions and task forces, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House on matters relating to youth.