By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 305
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
1-1 relating to the Interagency Council on Early Childhood
1-2 Intervention.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Section 73.001, Human Resources Code, is amended
1-5 to read as follows:
1-6 Sec. 73.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
1-7 (1) "Board" means the board of the Interagency Council
1-8 on Early Childhood Intervention.
1-9 (2) "Council" means the Interagency Council on Early
1-10 Childhood Intervention [Services].
1-11 (3) "Developmental delay" [(2) "Developmentally
1-12 delayed child"] means a significant variation [child who is
1-13 determined by an interdisciplinary team to exhibit:]
1-14 [(A) a significant delay, beyond acceptable
1-15 variations] in normal development as measured by appropriate
1-16 diagnostic instruments and procedures, in one or more of the
1-17 following areas:
1-18 (A) [(i)] cognitive development;
1-19 (B) physical development [(ii) gross or fine
1-20 motor];
1-21 (C) communication development [(iii) language
1-22 or speech];
1-23 (D) [(iv)] social or emotional development; or
2-1 (E) adaptive development [(v) self-help skills;
2-2 or]
2-3 [(B) an organic defect or a condition that is
2-4 very likely to result in a delay in one or more of those
2-5 capabilities or skills].
2-6 SECTION 2. Section 73.002, Human Resources Code, is amended
2-7 to read as follows:
2-8 Sec. 73.002. BOARD [INTERAGENCY COUNCIL]. (a) The council
2-9 is governed by a board composed of nine [three] lay members who are
2-10 the family members [parents] of [developmentally delayed] children
2-11 with developmental delay, appointed by the governor with the advice
2-12 and consent of the senate.
2-13 (b) In addition to the members appointed under Subsection
2-14 (a), nonvoting representatives shall be appointed by the
2-15 commissioner or executive head of the following agencies to
2-16 actively participate in board deliberations and advise the board on
2-17 the appointing agency's perspective and concerns regarding the
2-18 early childhood intervention program:
2-19 (1) the Texas Department of Health;
2-20 (2) the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental
2-21 Retardation;
2-22 (3) the Texas Education Agency;
2-23 (4) the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse;
2-24 (5) the Texas Department of Human Services;
2-25 (6) the Department of Protective and Regulatory
3-1 Services; and
3-2 (7) the Texas Workforce Commission.
3-3 (c) Five of the lay members of the board must be the parents
3-4 of children who are receiving or have received early childhood
3-5 intervention services. Each state [and one representative each
3-6 from the Texas Department of Health, the Texas Department of Mental
3-7 Health and Mental Retardation, the Texas Department of Human
3-8 Services, the Central Education Agency, the Department of
3-9 Protective and Regulatory Services, and the Texas Commission on
3-10 Alcohol and Drug Abuse. The governor with the advice and consent
3-11 of the senate shall appoint the lay members, and the commissioner,
3-12 director, or executive director of each agency shall appoint that
3-13 agency's representative. The] agency representative appointed
3-14 under Subsection (b) must have [should be a person in the agency
3-15 with] administrative responsibility in the agency represented by
3-16 the representative for [the supervision of] early childhood
3-17 intervention [support staff] or related services and must have
3-18 authority to make decisions and commit resources on behalf of the
3-19 appointing agency.
3-20 (d) [(b)] Members of the board [council] appointed under
3-21 Subsection (a) serve for staggered six-year terms, with the terms
3-22 of three members expiring February 1 of each odd-numbered year.
3-23 The representatives to the board appointed under Subsection (b)
3-24 serve as nonvoting participants and serve at the will of the
3-25 appointing authority. If a representative [member] appointed by a
4-1 state agency under Subsection (b) terminates employment with the
4-2 agency, the representative's [member's] position becomes vacant on
4-3 the date of termination.
4-4 (e) [(c)] The members of the board [council] shall
4-5 [annually] elect one member to serve as the presiding officer and
4-6 one member to serve as assistant presiding officer. Officers shall
4-7 serve a two-year term [chairperson].
4-8 (f) [(d)] The board [council] shall meet at least quarterly
4-9 and shall adopt rules for the conduct of its meetings.
4-10 (g) [(e)] Any action taken by the board [council] must be
4-11 approved by a majority vote of the members present.
4-12 (h) [(f)] The board [council] shall establish regulations,
4-13 policies, and procedures [a policy] for carrying out the council's
4-14 [its] duties under this chapter.
4-15 (i) [(g)] The board [council] shall develop a method for
4-16 responding to [programs funded under this chapter to respond to
4-17 individual] complaints regarding services provided by the council
4-18 [program].
4-19 SECTION 3. Chapter 73, Human Resources Code, is amended by
4-20 adding Section 73.0021 to read as follows:
4-21 Sec. 73.0021. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD MEMBERSHIP.
4-22 (a) Appointments to the board shall be made without regard to
4-23 race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or national origin.
4-24 (b) A person is not eligible for appointment as a board
4-25 member if:
5-1 (1) the person does not meet the eligibility
5-2 requirements under Section 73.002;
5-3 (2) the person or the person's spouse is an officer of
5-4 an agency or paid counsel of an organization with which the council
5-5 engages in a contractual relationship; or
5-6 (3) the person is required to register as a lobbyist
5-7 under Chapter 305, Government Code, because of the person's
5-8 activities on behalf of a profession or organization related to
5-9 council functions.
5-10 SECTION 4. Chapter 73, Human Resources Code, is amended by
5-11 adding Section 73.0022 to read as follows:
5-12 Sec. 73.0022. REMOVAL OF BOARD MEMBERS. (a) It is a ground
5-13 for removal from the board if a member:
5-14 (1) is not eligible for appointment to the board under
5-15 Section 73.002;
5-16 (2) does not maintain during service on the board the
5-17 qualifications required by Section 73.002;
5-18 (3) has or develops an interest that conflicts or
5-19 appears to conflict with the member's position on the board;
5-20 (4) cannot discharge the member's duties for a
5-21 substantial part of the term for which the member is appointed
5-22 because of illness or disability; or
5-23 (5) is absent for more than half of the regularly
5-24 scheduled board meetings that the member is eligible to attend
5-25 during a calendar year unless the absences are excused by a
6-1 majority vote of the board.
6-2 (b) The validity of an action of the board is not affected
6-3 by the fact that it was taken when grounds for removal of a board
6-4 member existed.
6-5 (c) If the executive director of the council has knowledge
6-6 that a potential ground for removal exists, the executive director
6-7 shall notify the presiding officer of the board. The presiding
6-8 officer shall then notify the governor of the potential removal and
6-9 the cause for the potential removal action.
6-10 (d) If a board member is removed for cause, the governor
6-11 shall make a subsequent appointment for the remainder of that board
6-12 member's term.
6-13 SECTION 5. Section 73.003, Human Resources Code, is amended
6-14 to read as follows:
6-15 Sec. 73.003. STRATEGIC [STATE] PLAN. [(a)] The council
6-16 shall develop and implement a strategic [state] plan for a
6-17 statewide system of early childhood intervention services, as
6-18 required by Subchapter VIII, Individuals with Disabilities
6-19 Education Act (IDEA) (20 U.S.C. Section 1471 et seq.), and its
6-20 subsequent amendments, to ensure that[:]
6-21 [(1)] the provisions of this chapter are properly
6-22 implemented by the agencies affected[;]
6-23 [(2) child and family needs are assessed statewide and
6-24 all available resources are coordinated to meet those needs;]
6-25 [(3) manpower needs are assessed statewide and
7-1 strategies are developed to meet those needs;]
7-2 [(4) incentives are offered for private sources to
7-3 maintain present commitments and to assist in developing new
7-4 programs; and]
7-5 [(5) a procedure for review of individual complaints
7-6 about services provided under this chapter is implemented].
7-7 [(b) The council shall make written recommendations for the
7-8 carrying out of its duties under this chapter. If the council
7-9 considers a recommendation that will affect an agency not
7-10 represented on the council, the council shall seek the advice and
7-11 assistance of the agency before taking action on the
7-12 recommendation. The council's recommendations shall be implemented
7-13 by the agencies affected by the recommendations.]
7-14 SECTION 6. Section 73.004, Human Resources Code, is amended
7-15 by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as
7-16 follows:
7-17 (b) The committee shall meet and serve under the rules of
7-18 the board [council], but the committee shall elect its own
7-19 presiding officer [chairperson]. The committee may be divided into
7-20 regional committees to assist the council in community-level
7-21 program planning and implementation.
7-22 (c) The advisory committee is not subject to Article
7-23 6252-33, Revised Statutes.
7-24 SECTION 7. Chapter 73, Human Resources Code, is amended by
7-25 adding Section 73.0041 to read as follows:
8-1 Sec. 73.0041. ADVISORY COMMITTEE DUTIES. The advisory
8-2 committee established under Section 73.004 shall perform the duties
8-3 and responsibilities required of an advisory committee under
8-4 Subchapter VIII, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
8-5 (20 U.S.C. Section 1471 et seq.), and its subsequent amendments.
8-6 SECTION 8. Section 73.005, Human Resources Code, is amended
8-7 to read as follows:
8-8 Sec. 73.005. BOARD POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The board
8-9 [council] with the advice of the advisory committee shall address
8-10 contemporary issues affecting intervention services in the state
8-11 including:
8-12 (1) successful intervention strategies;
8-13 (2) personnel preparation and continuing education;
8-14 (3) screening services;
8-15 (4) day or respite care services;
8-16 (5) public awareness; and
8-17 (6) contemporary research.
8-18 (b) The board [council] with the advice of the advisory
8-19 committee shall advise the legislature on legislation that is
8-20 needed [to develop further and] to maintain a statewide system of
8-21 quality intervention services for [all developmentally delayed]
8-22 children with developmental delay who are under three years of age
8-23 and the families of those children. The council may develop and
8-24 submit legislation to the legislature or comment on pending
8-25 legislation that affects this population.
9-1 SECTION 9. Chapter 73, Human Resources Code, is amended by
9-2 adding Section 73.0051 to read as follows:
9-3 Sec. 73.0051. POWERS AND DUTIES OF COUNCIL. (a) The
9-4 council is the lead agency designated by the governor under
9-5 Subchapter VIII, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
9-6 (20 U.S.C. Section 1471 et seq.), and its subsequent amendments for
9-7 the administration, supervision, and monitoring of a statewide
9-8 comprehensive system of early intervention services that will
9-9 ensure that all infants and toddlers in this state who are below
9-10 the age of three and have developmental needs or are at risk of
9-11 developmental delay receive services that are provided in
9-12 partnership with their families and in the context of their local
9-13 community.
9-14 (b) The council by rule shall:
9-15 (1) provide for compliance with the terms and
9-16 provisions of applicable federal and state laws in the
9-17 administration of programs and the delivery of services under this
9-18 chapter;
9-19 (2) establish a program to monitor fiscal and program
9-20 implementation; and
9-21 (3) establish appropriate sanctions for providers who
9-22 fail to comply with statutory and regulatory fiscal and program
9-23 requirements.
9-24 (c) The council may enter into, administer, and monitor
9-25 contracts with providers for programs and projects authorized under
10-1 this chapter.
10-2 (d) The council shall periodically monitor program
10-3 activities and fiscal performance of the entities funded under this
10-4 chapter to determine compliance with federal and state requirements
10-5 and issue reports regarding program monitoring.
10-6 (e) The council may apply for and accept gifts, grants, and
10-7 donations from public and private sources for use in programs
10-8 authorized under this chapter. The council shall deposit money
10-9 received under this section into the state treasury.
10-10 (f) The council shall cooperate with the Health and Human
10-11 Services Commission and other local, state, and federal agencies in
10-12 the strategic planning, funding, delivery, and monitoring of
10-13 services authorized under this chapter.
10-14 (g) The council shall make periodic reports as required by
10-15 law to other agencies, the legislature, appropriate committees, the
10-16 governor, and the Secretary of the United States Department of
10-17 Education.
10-18 (h) The council shall ensure that all programs and council
10-19 functions are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner.
10-20 SECTION 10. Chapter 73, Human Resources Code, is amended by
10-21 adding Section 73.0052 to read as follows:
10-22 Sec. 73.0052. PERSONNEL MATTERS. (a) The board shall
10-23 provide to its members and to the employees of the council, as
10-24 often as necessary, information regarding their qualifications
10-25 under this chapter and their responsibilities under applicable laws
11-1 relating to standards of conduct for state officers or employees.
11-2 (b) The board shall employ an executive director, and the
11-3 executive director shall establish necessary administrative units,
11-4 and hire other necessary employees.
11-5 (c) Utilizing established standards, the board shall
11-6 evaluate the performance of the executive director annually.
11-7 (d) The executive director or the executive director's
11-8 designee shall develop an intra-agency career ladder program.
11-9 Employees will be notified of all available positions. When
11-10 appropriate, postings will be made available to council employees
11-11 before public posting.
11-12 (e) The executive director or the executive director's
11-13 designee shall develop a system of annual performance evaluations
11-14 based on measurable job tasks. All merit pay for council employees
11-15 must be based on the system established under this subsection.
11-16 (f) The executive director or the executive director's
11-17 designee shall prepare and maintain a written policy statement to
11-18 assure implementation of a program of equal employment opportunity
11-19 under which all personnel transactions are made without regard to
11-20 race, color, handicap, sex, religion, age, or national origin. The
11-21 policy statement must include:
11-22 (1) personnel policies, including policies relating to
11-23 recruitment, evaluation, selection, appointment, training, and
11-24 promotion of personnel;
11-25 (2) a comprehensive analysis of the agency workforce
12-1 that meets federal and state guidelines; and
12-2 (3) procedures by which a determination can be made of
12-3 significant underutilization in the council's workforce of all
12-4 persons for whom federal or state guidelines encourage a more
12-5 equitable balance and reasonable methods to appropriately address
12-6 those areas of significant underutilization.
12-7 (g) The policy statement prepared under Subsection (f) must:
12-8 (1) cover an annual period;
12-9 (2) be updated at least annually; and
12-10 (3) be filed with the governor.
12-11 SECTION 11. Section 73.006, Human Resources Code, is amended
12-12 to read as follows:
12-13 Sec. 73.006. REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES [AND STAFF SUPPORT].
12-14 (a) Agency representatives to [on] the board and the advisory
12-15 committee, if any, [council] are entitled to reimbursement for
12-16 expenses incurred in the performance of their [council] duties by
12-17 the appointing agencies in accordance with the travel provisions
12-18 for state employees in the General Appropriations Act.
12-19 (b) The lay members of the board [described by Section
12-20 73.002(a)] and advisory committee [members] are entitled to
12-21 reimbursement [from the council] for reasonable [actual] and
12-22 necessary expenses incurred in the performance of board or advisory
12-23 committee [council] duties, including reimbursement for child care
12-24 [or attendant care].
12-25 (c) [(b)] The agencies that have representatives
13-1 [represented] on the board [council] shall provide staff support to
13-2 the council as needed. The agencies may provide staff support to
13-3 the committee.
13-4 (d) A board member, a nonvoting representative to the board,
13-5 or an advisory committee member who is disabled and who, because of
13-6 the disability, requires attendant care to perform the person's
13-7 duties is entitled to reimbursement for the cost of the attendant
13-8 care.
13-9 [(c) The council shall select and employ:]
13-10 [(1) an early childhood intervention administrator
13-11 with the approval of the governor; and]
13-12 [(2) other personnel necessary for the administration
13-13 of the council's duties.]
13-14 SECTION 12. Section 73.007, Human Resources Code, is amended
13-15 to read as follows:
13-16 Sec. 73.007. PUBLIC AWARENESS AND TRAINING. The council
13-17 shall develop and implement:
13-18 (1) a general public awareness strategy focusing on
13-19 the importance of prenatal care and early identification
13-20 [detection] of infants and toddlers with developmental delay and
13-21 the availability of [state] resources to meet their [the] needs [of
13-22 developmentally delayed children under six years of age]; and
13-23 (2) a statewide plan for conducting [regional]
13-24 training and technical assistance [sessions] for [public and
13-25 private] service providers, primary referral sources, and families
14-1 [who have routine contact] with children under three [six] years of
14-2 age with [that focuses on methods for early detection of]
14-3 developmental delay.
14-4 SECTION 13. Section 73.008, Human Resources Code, is amended
14-5 to read as follows:
14-6 Sec. 73.008. Early Identification Strategy. (a) The
14-7 council shall develop and implement a statewide strategy for:
14-8 (1) the early identification of [developmentally
14-9 delayed] children under three [six] years of age with developmental
14-10 delay; and
14-11 (2) the coordination of programs with[, utilizing
14-12 information from] other agencies serving [handicapped] children
14-13 with developmental delay.
14-14 (b) The strategy must include plans to:
14-15 (1) incorporate, strengthen, and expand similar
14-16 existing local efforts;
14-17 (2) incorporate and coordinate screening services
14-18 currently provided through a public agency; and
14-19 (3) establish a liaison with primary referral sources,
14-20 including hospitals, physicians, public health facilities, and
14-21 day-care facilities, to encourage referrals of [developmentally
14-22 delayed] children with developmental delay.
14-23 SECTION 14. Subsection (a), Section 73.009, Human Resources
14-24 Code, is amended to read as follows:
14-25 (a) The council shall establish policies concerning services
15-1 described by this section. A child under three [six] years of age
15-2 and the child's family may be referred for services described by
15-3 this section if the child is:
15-4 (1) identified as developmentally delayed;
15-5 (2) suspected of being developmentally delayed; or
15-6 (3) considered at risk of developmental delay [because
15-7 of certain biological or environmental factors].
15-8 SECTION 15. Section 73.010, Human Resources Code, is amended
15-9 to read as follows:
15-10 Sec. 73.010. Eligibility for Services. [(a)] A
15-11 [developmentally delayed] child is eligible for services under this
15-12 chapter if the child:
15-13 (1) is under three years of age; and
15-14 (2) is documented as having developmental delay or has
15-15 a medically diagnosed physical or mental condition that has a high
15-16 probability of resulting in developmental delay [has not reached
15-17 the age of eligibility for entry into the comprehensive special
15-18 education program for handicapped children under Section 21.501,
15-19 Education Code; or]
15-20 [(3) is under three years of age and is an eligible
15-21 child authorized under Section 11.052(a) and Section 11.10(o),
15-22 Education Code.]
15-23 [(b) The council may charge fees for services provided under
15-24 this chapter].
15-25 SECTION 16. Section 73.022, Human Resources Code, is amended
16-1 to read as follows:
16-2 Sec. 73.022. FINANCES. (a) The council shall:
16-3 (1) ensure compliance with requirements necessary to
16-4 obtain federal funds in the maximum amount and the most
16-5 advantageous proportions possible;
16-6 (2) apply for, receive, administer, and spend federal
16-7 and state funds for Subchapter VIII, Individuals with Disabilities
16-8 Education Act (IDEA) (20 U.S.C. Section 1471 et seq.), and its
16-9 subsequent amendments, dealing with infants and toddlers from birth
16-10 to age three with developmental delay and their families; and
16-11 (3) authorize and account for the classification and
16-12 spending of maintenance of effort and carryover funds from all
16-13 sources in carrying out the programs funded under this chapter.
16-14 (b) All money paid to the council under this chapter shall
16-15 be deposited in the state treasury and may be used only for the
16-16 administration of this chapter.
16-17 (c) The financial transactions of the council are subject to
16-18 audit by the state auditor in accordance with Chapter 321,
16-19 Government Code.
16-20 (d) The executive director shall prepare and submit to the
16-21 board for approval a biennial budget and request for an
16-22 appropriation by the legislature of funds necessary to carry out
16-23 the duties of the council. The budget and request must include an
16-24 estimate of all federal funds to be allocated to the state for the
16-25 performance of the council's duties.
17-1 (e) The council shall submit the budget and appropriations
17-2 request to the Legislative Budget Board and the governor in the
17-3 manner prescribed by law.
17-4 (f) The council shall annually file with the governor and
17-5 the presiding officer of each house of the legislature a complete
17-6 and detailed written report accounting for all funds received and
17-7 disbursed by the council during the preceding year in accordance
17-8 with the General Appropriations Act [Federally Funded Programs][.
17-9 (a) The Central Education Agency may not impose requirements on an
17-10 early childhood intervention program that receives funds under the
17-11 Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. Section
17-12 2701 et seq.) that are not requirements under federal law or under
17-13 this chapter.]
17-14 [(b) The Central Education Agency shall coordinate
17-15 monitoring required by federal law for early childhood intervention
17-16 programs with the program monitoring required by this chapter to
17-17 the extent possible].
17-18 SECTION 17. Chapter 73, Human Resources Code, is amended by
17-19 adding Section 73.023 to read as follows:
17-20 Sec. 73.023. APPLICATION OF SUNSET ACT. The Interagency
17-21 Council on Early Childhood Intervention is subject to Chapter 325,
17-22 Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence
17-23 as provided by that chapter, the council is abolished on September
17-24 1, 2003.
17-25 SECTION 18. Chapter 73, Human Resources Code, is amended by
18-1 adding Section 73.024 to read as follows:
18-2 Sec. 73.024. OPEN MEETINGS; OPEN RECORDS; ADMINISTRATIVE
18-3 PROCEDURE. The board, council, and advisory committee are subject
18-4 to the requirements of the open meetings law, Chapter 551,
18-5 Government Code, the open records law, Chapter 552, Government
18-6 Code, and Chapter 2001, Government Code.
18-7 SECTION 19. Subchapter F, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
18-8 amended by adding Section 411.132 to read as follows:
18-9 Sec. 411.132. ACCESS TO CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD
18-10 INFORMATION: INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON EARLY CHILDHOOD INTERVENTION.
18-11 (a) The Interagency Council on Early Childhood Intervention is
18-12 entitled to obtain criminal history record information maintained
18-13 by the Department of Public Safety, the Federal Bureau of
18-14 Investigation identification division, or another law enforcement
18-15 agency that relates to an employee or an applicant for permanent,
18-16 temporary, or consultative employment or for volunteer positions
18-17 whose employment or potential employment or volunteer position with
18-18 the council or a local provider involves the delivery of early
18-19 childhood intervention services or involves direct interactions
18-20 with or the opportunity to interact and associate with children.
18-21 (b) Criminal history record information obtained by the
18-22 council under Subsection (a) may not be released or disclosed to
18-23 any person except on court order, with the consent of the person
18-24 who is the subject of the criminal history record information, or
18-25 as provided by Subsection (d).
19-1 (c) The council shall destroy criminal history record
19-2 information that relates to a person after the information is used
19-3 for its authorized purpose.
19-4 (d) The council may provide the applicant, employee,
19-5 professional consultant, or volunteer with a copy of the person's
19-6 criminal history record information obtained from the Department of
19-7 Public Safety, Federal Bureau of Investigation identification
19-8 division, or another law enforcement agency.
19-9 (e) The failure or refusal to provide a complete set of
19-10 fingerprints or a complete name on request constitutes good cause
19-11 for dismissal or refusal to hire, as applicable, with regard to
19-12 council employees, professional consultants, and applicants for
19-13 permanent, temporary, or consultative employment or for volunteer
19-14 positions whose employment or potential employment or volunteer
19-15 position with the council or a local provider involves the delivery
19-16 of early childhood intervention services or involves direct
19-17 interactions with or the opportunity to interact and associate with
19-18 children.
19-19 SECTION 20. Sections 73.011 through 73.021, Human Resources
19-20 Code, are repealed.
19-21 SECTION 21. (a) As soon as possible after the effective
19-22 date of this Act, the governor shall appoint the nine lay members
19-23 of the board of the Interagency Council on Early Childhood
19-24 Intervention in accordance with Section 73.002, Human Resources
19-25 Code, as amended by this Act, with three members' terms expiring
20-1 February 1, 1999, three members' terms expiring February 1, 2001,
20-2 and three members' terms expiring February 1, 2003.
20-3 (b) As soon as possible after the effective date of this
20-4 Act, the executive director or commissioner of the agencies listed
20-5 in Subsection (b), Section 73.002, Human Resources Code, as amended
20-6 by this Act, shall appoint representatives required by that
20-7 subsection.
20-8 (c) Until all members of the board of the Interagency
20-9 Council on Early Childhood Intervention are appointed and are
20-10 qualified to take office as required by this Act, a majority of the
20-11 members who are qualified to serve on the board constitutes a
20-12 quorum of the board, so long as at least four are qualified.
20-13 (d) The term of a member of the council of the Interagency
20-14 Council on Early Childhood Intervention, as the council existed
20-15 immediately before the effective date of this Act, expires and the
20-16 member's position is abolished on the date on which a majority of
20-17 the members of the board of the Interagency Council on Early
20-18 Childhood Intervention are appointed and are qualified to take
20-19 office.
20-20 SECTION 22. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997.
20-21 SECTION 23. The importance of this legislation and the
20-22 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
20-23 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
20-24 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
20-25 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.