HJR225INTRODUCED
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AL35SS-1
By Representative Shedd
RFD: RULES
First Read: 23-May-23
2023 Regular Session
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5 AL35SS-1 05/23/2023 GP (L)lg 2023-2076
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HJR___ CREATING THE JOINT INTERIM STUDY COMMISSION ON
GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN.
WHEREAS, grandparents play an important and
influential part in the lives of their grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, many grandparents have assumed the role of
parent for their grandchildren for reasons including, but
not limited to, the premature death of a child's parent, a
parent's incarceration, or concerns with a parent's mental
health or substance abuse; and
WHEREAS, while grandparents have been stepping in to
raise grandchildren throughout history, the number of
grandparents raising their grandchildren has increased in
recent years; and
WHEREAS, in the United States, over 2.5 million
grandparents carry the primary responsibility of caring for
their grandchildren; about one third of grandchildren living
with their grandparents are under six years of age; and
WHEREAS, grandparents who act as parents face unique
challenges when they assume responsibility of their
grandchildren; and
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WHEREAS, there exists a need to address the
challenges that arise when grandparents raise their
grandchildren; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH
HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That there is created the Joint
Interim Study Commission on Grandparents Raising
Grandchildren.
(a) The membership of the study commission shall
consist of all of the following:
(1) One member appointed by the Lieutenant Governor.
(2) One member appointed by the Attorney General.
(3) One member of the Senate, appointed by the
President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and one member of the
Senate, appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate.
(4) One member of the House of Representatives,
appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives,
and one member of the House of Representatives, appointed by
the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
(5) One member appointed by the Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court of Alabama.
(6) One member appointed by the Alabama District
Attorneys Association.
(7) The Commissioner of the Alabama Department of
Senior Services, or his or her designee.
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(8) The Commissioner of the Department of Human
Resources, or his or her designee.
(9) The Commissioner of the Department of Mental
Health, or his or her designee.
(10) Additional members may be added by majority vote
of the study commission membership.
(b) The appointing authorities shall coordinate their
appointments to assure the study commission membership is
inclusive and reflects the racial, gender, geographic,
urban, rural, and economic diversity of the state.
(c)(1) The Lieutenant Governor shall call the first
meeting of the study commission, at which the members shall
elect a chair and a vice chair from among the membership.
The study commission may then meet as necessary to conduct
business.
(2) The Legislative Services Agency, the Clerk of the
House of Representatives, and the Secretary of the Senate
shall provide administrative and other assistance for the
work of the study commission as necessary.
(d)(1) The legislative members of the study
commission shall be entitled to their legislative
compensation, per diem, and travel expenses for each day
they attend a meeting of the study commission pursuant to
Section 49 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.
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(2) The nonlegislative members of the study
commission shall serve without compensation but may be
reimbursed for necessary expenses in attending meetings of
the study commission pursuant to the policies of their
respective appointing authority.
(e) The study commission shall prepare a report of
its findings, conclusions, and recommendations for any
proposed reform legislation to the Legislature not later
than the third legislative day of the 2024 Regular Session.
In preparing its report, the study commission shall include
recommendations to address the challenges that arise when
grandparents raise their grandchildren. Upon filing its
report with the Legislature, the study commission shall
stand dissolved and discharged of any future duties and
liabilities.
(f) Each appointing authority named herein shall be
provided a copy of this resolution upon its passage.
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