Chapter 725 Oregon Laws 2011

AN ACT

HB 3102

Relating to court appointed special advocates; and declaring an emergency.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. (1) There is established the Court Appointed Special Advocate Task Force consisting of nine members appointed as follows:

(a) The President of the Senate shall appoint one member from among members of the Senate.

(b) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint one member from among members of the House of Representatives.

(c) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall appoint four members as follows:

(A) Two members representing CASA Volunteer Programs; and

(B) Two members from the Judicial Department with expertise in juvenile dependency cases.

(d) The Governor shall appoint three members as follows:

(A) Two members from the Oregon State Bar with expertise in juvenile justice cases involving court appointed special advocates; and

(B) One member from among members of the Oregon Volunteers Commission for Voluntary Action and Service established under ORS 458.555.

(2) The task force shall study and make recommendations on the appropriate structure and operation for funding and administration of the CASA Volunteer Programs in this state.

(3) A majority of the members of the task force constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.

(4) Official action by the task force requires the approval of a majority of the members of the task force.

(5) The task force shall elect one of its members to serve as chairperson.

(6) If there is a vacancy for any cause, the appointing authority shall make an appointment to become immediately effective.

(7) The task force shall meet at times and places specified by the call of the chairperson or of a majority of the members of the task force.

(8) The task force may adopt rules necessary for the operation of the task force.

(9) The task force shall make a report, and may include recommendations for legislation, to interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to the provision of court appointed special advocate services no later than January 15, 2012.

(10) The Legislative Administrator selected under ORS 173.710 shall staff the task force.

(11) The task force may accept donations of staff support, office space and equipment from advocacy or service provider organizations to assist the task force in the performance of its functions.

(12)(a) Notwithstanding ORS 171.072, members of the task force who are members of the Legislative Assembly are not entitled to mileage expenses or a per diem and serve as volunteers on the task force.

(b) Members of the task force who are not members of the Legislative Assembly are not entitled to compensation, but may be reimbursed for actual and necessary travel and other expenses incurred by them in the performance of their official duties in the manner and amounts provided for in ORS 292.495. Claims for expenses incurred in performing functions of the task force shall be paid out of funds appropriated to the State Commission on Children and Families for the operation of the CASA Volunteer Programs.

SECTION 2. Section 1 of this 2011 Act is repealed on June 30, 2012.

SECTION 3. This 2011 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2011 Act takes effect on its passage.

Approved by the Governor August 5, 2011

Filed in the office of Secretary of State August 8, 2011

Effective date August 5, 2011

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