(a) Establishment

There is established a Federal Council on Children, Youth, and Families.

(b) Number of members

The Council shall be composed of 18 members to be appointed in accordance with subsection (d) of this section.

(c) Term of membership

Each member of the Council shall serve for a 3-year term without regard to title 5.

(d) Appointment of members

(1) In general

The Council shall be composed of -

(A)

six members who posess ^[1] such skills and qualifications so as to be representative of -

(i)

rural and urban populations; and

(ii)

national organizations with an interest in young individuals, families, early childhood development, elementary and secondary education, business, labor, minorities, and the general public;

(B)

six members who are representatives of public, State or local agencies that serve children, youth and their families and include representatives of child welfare and child mental health agencies; and

(C)

six members who are cabinet-level representatives of Federal agencies that have responsibility for programs relating to children, youth and families.

(2) Age of members

At least one of the individuals appointed to the Council under paragraph (1)(A) shall be under the age of 21 at the time of such appointment.

(3) Appointing authority

Of the members of the Council who are appointed under paragraph (1) -

(A)

six of the members described under subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall be appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate on the recommendation of the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate;

(B)

six of the members described under subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the recommendation of the Majority and Minority Leaders of the House of Representatives; and

(C)

the members described under subparagraph (C) shall be appointed by the President.

(e) Vacancy

(1) Filling vacancy

A vacancy on the Council shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.

(2)

Powers of board ^[2]

A vacancy on the Council shall not affect the powers of the Council.

(3) Term of appointment

A member of the Council who is appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which the predecessor of such member was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of such term.

(f) Reappointment

Each member of the Council shall be eligible for reappointment to the Council.

(g) Expiration of term

Each member of the Council may serve after the expiration of the term of membership until the successor of such member has taken office.

(h) Travel expenses

Each member of the Council, while serving on business of the Council away from the home or regular place of business of such member, may be allowed subsistence in the same manner as the expenses authorized by section 5703 of title 5 for individuals in the Government service employed intermittently.

(i) Chairperson

The President shall designate the Secretary of Health and Human Services to serve as the Chairperson of the Council. In the event that the Secretary chooses to designate the functions of Chairperson under this subsection, such designation may only be made to the Commissioner.

(j) Meetings

Not less than once during each 6-month period, the Chairperson of the Council shall call a meeting of the Council.

(k) Duties of Council

The Council shall -

(1)

advise and assist the President on matters relating to the special needs of young individuals;

(2)

review, evaluate, and inventory on a continuing basis Federal policies, programs and other activities affecting young individuals that are conducted or assisted by all Federal departments and agencies for the purpose of appraising the value and the impact of such policies, programs, and activities on the lives of young individuals, and of identifying duplication of services for young individuals and the families of such individuals;

(3)

make recommendations to the President, the Secretary, the Commissioner, the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate concerning changes in such policies and programs that can streamline services, reduce duplication of services and encourage the coordination of services provided to young individuals and the families of such individuals at the State and local level;

(4)

provide public forums, including public hearings, conferences, workshops, and other meetings, for discussing and publicizing the problems and needs of young individuals and obtaining information relating to such individuals;

(6)

^[3] identify program regulations, practices, and eligibility requirements that impede coordination and collaboration and make recommendations for their modifications or elimination; and

(7)

develop recommendations for creating jointly funded programs, unified assessments, eligibility, and application procedures, and confidentiality protections that facilitate information sharing.

(l) Staff

The Chairperson shall appoint staff personnel to assist the Chairperson in carrying out the duties required under subsection (k) of this section.

(m) Information and assistance

The head of each Federal department and agency shall make available to the Chairperson such information and other assistance as the Chairperson may require to carry out the duties required under subsection (k) of this section.

(n) Reports

(1) Submission to the President

In fiscal year 1992 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Chairperson shall prepare and submit -

(A)

interim reports as the Chairperson considers to be appropriate; and

(B)

an annual report of the findings and recommendations of the Council concerning the matters described in paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (k) of this section;

to the President not later than March 31 of each year.

(2) Review and submission to Congress

(A) Comments and recommendations

The President may make comments and recommendations concerning reports submitted under paragraph (1).

(B) Submission to Congress

The President shall submit such comments, recommendations, and reports to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate.

(o) Authorization of appropriation

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $200,000 for each of the fiscal years 1995 through 1998.

(p) Termination

The Council shall terminate on September 30, 1998.