§2605.4. Council on the Children of Incarcerated Parents

            A. There is hereby established the Council on the Children of Incarcerated Parents and Caregivers, hereinafter referred to as "the CIP Council". The domicile of the CIP Council shall be in the parish of East Baton Rouge. The CIP Council shall be housed within the office of the governor.

            B. For the purpose of the CIP Council, "incarcerated parents and caregivers" includes all individuals who, prior to or following incarceration, are primarily or secondarily responsible for the health and well-being of an individual.

            C.(1) The CIP Council shall be composed of the following members:

            (a) Three individuals, representative of the various regions of the state, whose parents or caregivers are or were incarcerated when the individuals were minors.

            (b) One person who is a formerly incarcerated parent or caregiver.

            (c) One representative of the Louisiana Department of Health appointed by the secretary of the department or the representative's designee.

            (d) One representative of the Department of Education appointed by the superintendent or the representative's designee.

            (e) One representative of the Department of Children and Family Services appointed by the secretary of the department or the representative's designee.

            (f) The family liaison of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of juvenile justice, or the liaison's designee.

            (g) One representative of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections appointed by the secretary or the representative's designee.

            (h) One representative of the Louisiana Public Defender Board appointed by the state public defender or the representative's designee.

            (i) One representative of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association appointed by the president of the association or the representative's designee.

            (j) One representative of the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association appointed by the president of the association or the representative's designee.

            (k) One person representing and appointed by Daughters Beyond Incarceration.

            (l) One person representing and appointed by Voice of the Experienced.

            (m) Three representatives shall be appointed by the governor.

            (2) Additional members may be added as determined by a majority vote of those members currently serving on the CIP Council.

            D. Members of the CIP Council shall serve two-year terms and shall not receive any compensation or reimbursement of expenses. Each member of the CIP Council shall serve until the appointment and qualification of their successor. Whenever a vacancy occurs in an appointed position, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner and under the same conditions as required for the original appointment.

            E. The CIP Council shall meet at least once in at least three of the four quarters each year. The CIP Council shall comply with the Open Meetings Law, R.S. 42:11 et seq., in conducting its regular business.

            F. All departments, boards, agencies, officers, and institutions of the state and all subdivisions thereof shall cooperate with the CIP Council in carrying out its purposes pursuant to the provisions of this Section and R.S. 46:2605.5 and 2605.6.

            G. The CIP Council shall make, or cause to be made, all such studies, reviews, or analyses that it determines to be necessary to effect its purpose.

            H. The CIP Council may receive and expend funds appropriated or otherwise made available by the legislature or from any other source, including donations or gifts of money or services from public or private organizations or from any other sources, to be utilized for the purposes of the CIP Council and as further provided in R.S. 46:2605.6.

            Acts 2020, No. 284, §1, eff. June 11, 2020.