SLS 10RS-1841 ORIGINAL Page 1 of 4 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. Regular Session, 2010 SENATE BILL NO. 743 BY SENATOR BROOME CIVIC EDUCATION. Provides for the selection process for certain members nominated by school clubs and community organizations to the Legislative Youth Advisory Council and for submission of an annual report. (8/15/10) AN ACT1 To amend and reenact R.S. 24:973.1(B)(1) and (2), and (E)(5), relative to the Legislative2 Youth Advisory Council; to provide for the selection of members nominated for3 membership by certain school clubs and community organizations; to provide for4 submission of an annual report; and to provide for related matters.5 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6 Section 1. R.S. 24:973.1(B)(1) and (2), and (E)(5) are hereby amended and reenacted7 to read as follows: 8 ยง973.1. Legislative Youth Advisory Council; purpose, membership, duties,9 administration, report, student privacy10 * * *11 B. Membership. (1) The council shall consist of the following youth12 members:13 (a)(i) Members appointed by the commission to represent youth within a14 congressional district. Two youth members shall be appointed by the Louisiana15 Commission on Civic Education from each congressional district in a manner which16 reflects the diversity of the state to the greatest extent practicable pursuant to an17 SB NO. 743 SLS 10RS-1841 ORIGINAL Page 2 of 4 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. application process as provided in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection. Youth1 members shall possess the qualifications as provided in Subsection C of this Section.2 (ii) The commission shall select members to the council pursuant to this3 Subparagraph from among youths recommended by any school administrator,4 teacher, or representative of an approved home study program or a general education5 development skills program.6 (b)(i) Members nominated by certain school or clubs and community7 organizations. Up to seven youths may serve as members nominated by a state level,8 school-sponsored club or community service club or organization which has a9 mission that supports the ideals of character, leadership, and service; encourages10 mutual respect and instills civic responsibility; builds courage and confidence among11 young people through community participation; or promotes the principles of12 representative democracy, in an effort to build stronger communities by increasing13 civic engagement among youth.14 (ii) If the number of clubs or organizations eligible for and making a request15 to participate exceeds seven, the initial members shall be determined by lot.16 Following the initial appointments to the council, the membership shall rotate17 annually among the eligible clubs or organizations selected in the same manner18 and pursuant to the application process, specified in Paragraph (2) of this19 Subsection, as provided for the selection of other members by the commission.20 (iii) Any state level club or organization that meets the qualifications of this21 Subparagraph may submit one name to the commission, along with a letter of22 recommendation from an adult representative of the club or organization from23 which the youth is nominated and a letter of recommendation from a school24 administrator, teacher, or representative of an approved home study program25 or general education development skills program.26 (2) The application form and process for membership on the council shall27 be developed and approved by the commission.28 29 SB NO. 743 SLS 10RS-1841 ORIGINAL Page 3 of 4 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. * * *1 E. Duties. The council shall have the following duties and responsibilities:2 * * *3 (5) To submit an annual report by February fifteenth May thirtieth of each4 year of its activities, including any recommendations for proposed legislation, to the5 governor, the Senate and House committees on education, and the commission.6 * * *7 The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Sherri H. Breaux. DIGEST Present law establishes the Legislative Youth Advisory Council to consist of 21 members upon submission of an application as follows: (1)Members appointed by the commission: two youth members appointed by the La. Commission on Civic Education from each congressional district (14 members) in a manner which reflects the diversity of the state to the greatest extent practicable. Requires recommendation by a school administrator, teacher, or representative of an approved home study program or a general education development skills program. (2)Members nominated by certain school or community organizations: up to seven youths may serve as members nominated by a state level, school-sponsored or community service club or organization which has a mission that supports the ideals of character, leadership, and service; encourages mutual respect and instills civic responsibility; builds courage and confidence among young people through community participation; or promotes the principles of representative democracy, in an effort to build stronger communities by increasing civic engagement among youth. Provides that if the number of eligible clubs or organizations making a request to participate exceeds seven, the initial members will be determined by lot, and following the initial appointments, the membership will rotate annually among the eligible clubs or organizations. Provides that any such state level club or organization may submit one name to the commission. Proposed law retains the membership specified in present law, but changes the process by which members are selected from those youths nominated by a school club or community organization which has a civic mission. Removes the process for selection determined by an annual rotation of organization and instead provides for such nominees to be subject to the same application and selection process by the commission as other youth members. Proposed law further eliminates the requirement that the club or organization be a state level organization to also allow local community organizations meeting the criteria to nominate youth for membership. Requires a letter of recommendation from an adult representative of the club or organization from which the youth is nominated and a letter of recommendation from a school administrator, teacher, or representative of a BESE-approved home study program or GED skills program. Present law provides the application form for membership on the council shall be developed by the commission. SB NO. 743 SLS 10RS-1841 ORIGINAL Page 4 of 4 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. Proposed law further specifies that the application form and process for membership be developed and approved by the commission. Present law requires that each member of the council be a resident of Louisiana and a student attending a La. high school or BESE-approved or home study who is 14 to19 years old and in the 9 th , 10 th , 11 th , or 12 th grades, or a student of the same age participating in a GED skills program as defined by policy adopted by BESE. Proposed law retains present law. Present law requires the submission of an annual report by February 15 th of each year of its activities to the governor, the Senate and House committees on education, and the commission. Proposed law instead requires the annual report by May 30 th of each year. Effective August 15, 2010. (Amends R.S. 24:973.1(B)(1) and (2), and (E)(5))