The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 33 : Human Services

Chapter 032 : Office of the Child, Youth, & Family Advocate

• § 3211. Oversight Commission on Children, Youths, and Families

  (a) Creation. There is created the Oversight Commission on Children, Youths, and Families to provide guidance and recommendations to the Office of the Child, Youth, and Family Advocate.

  (b) Membership. The Commission shall be composed of the following members who shall not have a conflict of interest with the Department for Children and Families:

  (1) one current member of the House of Representatives who serves on the House Committee on Human Services, who shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House;

  (2) one current member of the Senate who serves on the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, who shall be appointed by the Committee on Committees;

  (3) a member with professional expertise in childhood trauma, adverse childhood experiences, or child welfare, who shall be appointed by the Governor;

  (4) the Executive Director of Racial Equity established pursuant to 3 V.S.A. § 5001 or designee;

  (5) one member of a child advocacy group, board, or commission, who shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House;

  (6) one member of a child advocacy group, board, or commission, who shall be appointed by the Committee on Committees;

  (7) one member of a child advocacy group, board, or commission, who shall be appointed by the Governor;

  (8) an adult who was in the custody of the Department for Children and Families within the past five years, who shall be appointed by the Vermont Foster and Adoptive Family Association; and

  (9) the relative caregiver of a child or youth involved in the child protection system, who shall be appointed by Vermont Kin as Parents.

  (c) Powers and duties. The Commission shall:

  (1) recommend qualified applicants for the position of the Child, Youth, and Family Advocate to the Governor for consideration pursuant to section 3204 of this chapter within 45 days following a vacancy; and

  (2) provide oversight of the Office in its efforts to support an equitable, comprehensive, and coordinated system of services and programs for children, youths, and families.

  (d) Assistance. The Commission shall have the administrative assistance of the Agency of Administration.

  (e) Meetings.

  (1) The member representing the House Committee on Human Services shall call the first meeting of the Commission to occur on or before August 1, 2022.

  (2) The Commission shall select a chair from among its members at the first meeting.

  (3) A majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum.

  (f) Compensation and reimbursement.

  (1) For attendance at meetings during adjournment of the General Assembly, a legislative member of the Commission serving in the member’s capacity as a legislator shall be entitled to per diem compensation and reimbursement of expenses pursuant to 2 V.S.A. § 23 for not more than four meetings annually.

  (2) Other members of the Commission shall be entitled to per diem compensation and reimbursement of expenses as permitted under 32 V.S.A. § 1010 for not more than four meetings annually. These payments shall be made from monies appropriated to the Office of the Child, Youth, and Family Advocate. (Added 2021, No. 129 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. July 1, 2022.)