(c) It is the policy of the compacting states that the activities conducted by the interstate commission are the formation of public policies and, therefore, are public business. Furthermore, the compacting states shall cooperate with each other and observe their individual and collective duties and responsibilities for the prompt return and acceptance of juveniles who are subject to this compact.
(d) The compact shall be reasonably and liberally construed to accomplish the purposes and policies of the compact.
(2) Article II — Definitions. In this section:
(a) "Bylaws" means the bylaws established by the interstate commission for its governance or for directing or controlling its actions or conduct.
(b) "Commissioner" means the voting representative of each compacting state appointed under sub. (3) (b).
(c) "Compact administrator" means the person appointed under this compact in each compacting state who is responsible for the administration and management of the state's supervision and transfer of juveniles who are subject to this compact, the rules, and the policies adopted by the state board under this compact.
(d) "Compacting state" means a state that has enacted the enabling legislation for this compact.
(e) "Court" means a court having jurisdiction over delinquent, neglected, or dependent juveniles.
(f) "Deputy compact administrator" means the person, if any, appointed in each compacting state to act on behalf of a compact administrator in the administration and management of the state's supervision and transfer of juveniles who are subject to this compact, the rules, and the policies adopted by the state board under this compact.
(g) "Interstate commission" means the interstate commission for juveniles established under sub. (3) (a).
(h) "Juvenile" means a person who is defined as a juvenile under the law of any compacting state or by the rules, including all of the following:
1. An accused delinquent. For purposes of this subdivision, "accused delinquent" means a person who is charged with an offense that, if committed by an adult, would be a criminal offense.
2. An adjudicated delinquent. For purposes of this subdivision, "adjudicated delinquent" means a person who has been found to have committed an offense that, if committed by an adult, would be a criminal offense.
3. An accused status offender. For purposes of this subdivision, "accused status offender" means a person who is charged with an offense that would not be a criminal offense if committed by an adult.
4. An adjudicated status offender. For purposes of this subdivision, "adjudicated status offender" means a person who has been found to have committed an offense that would not be a criminal offense if committed by an adult.
5. A nonoffender. For purposes of this subdivision, "nonoffender" means a person who is in need of supervision, but who has not been charged with or found to have committed an offense.
(i) "Noncompacting state" means a state that has not enacted the enabling legislation for this compact.
(j) "Probation or parole" means any kind of supervision or conditional release of a juvenile that is authorized under the laws of a compacting state.
(k) Except as provided in sub. (6) (f), "rule" means a written statement by the interstate commission promulgated under sub. (6) that is of general applicability; that implements, interprets, or prescribes a policy or provision of the compact or an organizational, procedural, or practice requirement of the interstate commission; and that has the force of statutory law in a compacting state. "Rule" includes the amendment, repeal, or suspension of an existing rule.
(L) "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or the Northern Marianas Islands.
(m) "State board" means the state board for interstate juvenile supervision created by each compacting state under sub. (9).
(3) Article III — Interstate Commission for Juveniles. (a) There is created the interstate commission for juveniles. The interstate commission shall be a body corporate and joint agency of the compacting states. The interstate commission shall have all of the responsibilities, powers, and duties specified in this section and such additional powers as may be conferred upon the interstate commission by subsequent action of the respective legislatures of the compacting states exercised in accordance with this compact.
(b) The interstate commission shall consist of commissioners appointed by the appropriate appointing authority in each compacting state under the requirements of the compacting state and in consultation with the state board of the compacting state. The commissioner shall be the compact administrator, deputy compact administrator, or designee from the compacting state and shall serve on the interstate commission in that capacity under the applicable law of the compacting state.
(c) In addition to the commissioners who are the voting representatives of each compacting state, the interstate commission shall include, as nonvoting members, persons who are members of interested organizations. Those nonvoting members shall include members of the national organizations of governors, legislators, state supreme court chief justices, attorneys general, juvenile justice and juvenile corrections officials, and crime victims and members of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children and the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision. The interstate commission may provide in the bylaws for the inclusion of additional nonvoting members, including members of other national organizations, in such numbers as may be determined by the interstate commission.
(d) Each compacting state represented at any meeting of the interstate commission is entitled to one vote. A majority of the compacting states shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, unless a larger quorum is required by the bylaws.
(e) The interstate commission shall meet at least once each year. The chairperson may call additional meetings and, upon the request of a simple majority of the compacting states, shall call additional meetings. Public notice shall be given of all meetings and, except as provided in par. (i), meetings shall be open to the public.
(f) The interstate commission shall establish an executive committee, which shall include officers and members of the interstate commission and others as determined by the bylaws. The executive committee may act on behalf of the interstate commission during periods when the interstate commission is not in session, with the exception of rule making and amending the compact. The executive committee shall oversee the day-to-day activities of the administration of the compact that are managed by an executive director and interstate commission staff; administer enforcement of and compliance with the compact, the bylaws, and the rules; and perform such other duties as directed by the interstate commission or as specified in the bylaws.
(g) Each commissioner is entitled to cast the vote to which the compacting state represented by the commissioner is entitled and to participate in the business and affairs of the interstate commission. A commissioner shall vote in person and may not delegate a vote to another compacting state, except that a commissioner, in consultation with the state board of the commissioner's state, may appoint another authorized representative, in the absence of the commissioner, to cast a vote on behalf of the compacting state at a specified meeting. The bylaws may provide for members' participation in meetings by telephone or by other means of telecommunication or electronic communication.
(h) The bylaws shall establish conditions and procedures under which the interstate commission shall make its information and official records available to the public for inspection or copying. The interstate commission may exempt from disclosure any information or official records to the extent that the information or records would adversely affect personal privacy rights or proprietary interests.
(i) Public notice shall be given of all meetings, and all meetings shall be open to the public, except as specified in the rules or as otherwise provided in the compact. The interstate commission and any of its committees may close a meeting to the public if the interstate commission or committee determines by a two-thirds vote that an open meeting would be likely to do any of the following:
1. Relate solely to the interstate commission's internal personnel practices and procedures.
2. Disclose matters that are specifically exempted from disclosure by statute.
3. Disclose trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential.
4. Involve accusing any person of a crime or formally censuring any person.
5. Disclose information that is of a personal nature, if disclosure of the information would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
6. Disclose investigative records that have been compiled for law enforcement purposes.
7. Disclose information that is contained in or related to an examination, operating, or condition report prepared by, on behalf of, or for the use of the interstate commission with respect to a regulated person for the purpose of regulation or supervision of that person.
8. Disclose information, the premature disclosure of which would significantly endanger the stability of a regulated person.
9. Specifically relate to the interstate commission's issuance of a subpoena or the participation of the interstate commission in a civil action or other legal proceeding.
(j) For every meeting that is closed under par. (i), the interstate commission's legal counsel shall publicly certify that, in the opinion of the legal counsel, the meeting may be closed to the public and shall reference each provision under par. (i) authorizing closure of the meeting. The interstate commission shall keep minutes that shall fully and clearly describe all matters discussed in any meeting and shall provide a full and accurate summary of any actions taken, and the reasons for those actions, including a description of each of the views expressed on any item and the record of any roll call vote reflecting the vote of each commissioner on the question. All documents considered in connection with any action shall be identified in the minutes.
(k) The interstate commission shall collect standardized data concerning the interstate movement of juveniles as directed by the rules. The rules shall specify the date to be collected and the means of collection and shall specify data exchange and reporting requirements. Those methods of data collection, exchange, and reporting shall, insofar as is reasonably possible, conform to up-to-date technology and shall coordinate the interstate commission's information functions with the appropriate repository of records.
(4) Article IV — Powers and Duties of the Interstate Commission. The interstate commission shall have the power and duty to do all of the following:
(a) Provide for dispute resolution among compacting states.
(b) Promulgate rules to effect the purposes and obligations enumerated in this compact, which rules shall have the effect of statutory law and shall be binding in the compacting states to the extent and in the manner provided in this compact.
(c) Oversee, supervise, and coordinate the interstate movement of juveniles who are subject to this compact, the bylaws, and the rules.
(d) Enforce compliance with the compact, the bylaws, and the rules, using all necessary and proper means, including the use of judicial process.
(e) Establish and maintain offices that shall be located within one or more of the compacting states.
(f) Purchase and maintain insurance and bonds.
(g) Borrow, accept, hire, or contract for the services of personnel.
(h) Establish and appoint committees and hire staff that the interstate commission considers necessary for carrying out its functions, including an executive committee as required by sub. (3) (f), which shall have the power to act on behalf of the interstate commission in carrying out the powers and duties of the interstate commission under this compact.
(i) Elect or appoint officers, attorneys, employees, agents, or consultants; fix their compensation, define their duties, and determine their qualifications; and establish the personnel policies and programs of the interstate commission relating to, among other things, conflicts of interest, rates of compensation, and qualifications of personnel.
(j) Accept, receive, utilize, and dispose of donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services.
(k) Lease, purchase, accept contributions or donations of, or otherwise own, hold, improve, or use any property, real, personal, or mixed.
(L) Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise dispose of any property, real, personal, or mixed.
(m) Establish a budget and make expenditures and levy assessments as provided in sub. (8).
(n) Sue and be sued.
(o) Adopt a seal and bylaws governing the management and operation of the interstate commission.
(p) Perform such functions as may be necessary to achieve the purposes of this compact.
(q) Report annually to the legislatures, governors, judiciary, and state boards of the compacting states concerning the activities of the interstate commission during the preceding year. Those reports shall also include any recommendations that have been adopted by the interstate commission.
(r) Coordinate education, training, and public awareness regarding the interstate movement of juveniles for officials who are involved in that activity.
(s) Establish uniform standards for reporting, collecting, and exchanging data.
(t) Maintain the corporate books and records of the interstate commission in accordance with the bylaws.
(5) Article V — Organization and Operation of the Interstate Commission. (a) Bylaws. Within 12 months after the first meeting of the interstate commission, the interstate commission shall, by a majority vote of the members present and voting, adopt bylaws to govern the conduct of the interstate commission as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of the compact, including bylaws that do all of the following:
1. Establish the fiscal year of the interstate commission.
2. Establish an executive committee and such other committees as may be necessary.
3. Provide for the establishment of committees governing any general or specific delegation of any authority or function of the interstate commission.
4. Provide reasonable procedures for calling and conducting meetings of the interstate commission and for ensuring reasonable notice of each meeting.
5. Establish the titles and responsibilities of the officers of the interstate commission.
6. Provide a mechanism for concluding the operations of the interstate commission and for returning any surplus funds that may exist upon the termination of the compact after the payment or reserving of all of the debts and obligations of the interstate commission.
7. Provide rules for the initial administration of the compact.
8. Establish standards and procedures for compliance and technical assistance in carrying out the compact.
(b) Officers and staff. 1. The interstate commission shall, by a majority of the members, elect annually from among its members a chairperson and a vice chairperson, each of whom shall have such authority and duties as may be specified in the bylaws. The chairperson or, in the chairperson's absence or disability, the vice chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the interstate commission. The officers so elected shall serve without compensation or remuneration from the interstate commission, except that, subject to the availability of budgeted funds, the officers shall be reimbursed for any ordinary and necessary costs and expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties and responsibilities as officers of the interstate commission.
2. The interstate commission shall, through its executive committee, appoint or retain an executive director for such period, upon such terms and conditions, and for such compensation as the interstate commission may consider appropriate. The executive director shall serve as secretary to the interstate commission, but may not be a member of the interstate commission, and shall hire and supervise such other staff as may be authorized by the interstate commission.
(c) Qualified immunity, defense, and indemnification. 1. The executive director, employees, and representatives of the interstate commission shall be immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss of property, personal injury, or other civil liability caused by, arising out of, or relating to any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that the person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, except that this subdivision does not protect any person from suit or liability for any damage, loss, injury, or liability that is caused by the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of that person.
2. The liability of any commissioner, or the employee or agent of a commissioner, acting within the scope of that person's employment or duties for any act, error, or omission occurring within that person's state may not exceed the limits of liability specified under the constitution and laws of that state for state officials, employees, and agents, except that this subdivision does not protect any person from suit or liability for any damage, loss, injury, or liability that is caused by the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of that person.
3. The interstate commission shall defend the executive director, employees, and representatives of the interstate commission, and, subject to the approval of the attorney general of the state represented by any commissioner of a compacting state, shall defend a commissioner and a commissioner's employees and agents, in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that the person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, if the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of that person.
4. The interstate commission shall indemnify and hold harmless the commissioner of a compacting state, the commissioner's employees and agents, and the interstate commission's executive director, employees, and representatives in the amount of any settlement or judgment obtained against those persons arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that the person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, if the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of that person.
(6) Article VI — Rule-making Function of the Interstate Commission. (a) The interstate commission shall promulgate and publish rules in order to effectively and efficiently achieve the purposes of the compact.
(b) Rule making shall occur under the criteria specified in this subsection and the bylaws and rules adopted under this subsection. Rule making shall substantially conform to the principles of the Model State Administrative Procedure Act, 1981 Act, Uniform Laws Annotated, volume 15, page 1, (2000), or any other administrative procedure act that the interstate commission considers appropriate, consistent with the due process requirements under the U.S. Constitution. All rules and amendments to the rules shall become binding as of the date specified in the final rule or amendment.
(c) When promulgating a rule, the interstate commission shall do all of the following:
1. Publish the entire text of the proposed rule and state the reason for the proposed rule.
2. Allow and invite persons to submit written data, facts, opinions, and arguments, which shall be added to the rule-making record and be made publicly available.
3. Provide an opportunity for an informal hearing, if petitioned by 10 or more persons.
4. Promulgate a final rule and its effective date, if appropriate, based on the rule-making record, including input from state or local officials and other interested parties.
(d) Not later that 60 days after a rule is promulgated, any interested person may file a petition in the U. S. district court for the District of Columbia or in the federal district court for the district in which the interstate commission's principal office is located for judicial review of that rule. If the court finds that the interstate commission's action is not supported by substantial evidence in the rule-making record, the court shall hold the rule unlawful and set the rule aside. For purposes of this paragraph, evidence is substantial if the evidence would be considered substantial evidence under the Model State Administrative Procedure Act.
(e) If a majority of the legislatures of the compacting states reject a rule by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the compact, the rule shall have no further effect in any compacting state.
(f) The rules governing the operation of the Interstate Compact on Juveniles under ss. 938.991 to 938.998 shall be void 12 months after the first meeting of the interstate commission.
(g) If the interstate commission determines that an emergency exists, the interstate commission may promulgate an emergency rule that shall become effective immediately upon promulgation, except that the usual rule-making procedures provided under this subsection shall be retroactively applied to the rule as soon as is reasonably possible, but no later than 90 days after the effective date of the emergency rule.
(7) Article VII — Oversight, Enforcement, and Dispute Resolution by the Interstate Commission. (a) Oversight and enforcement. 1. The interstate commission shall oversee the administration and operations of the interstate movement of juveniles who are subject to this compact in the compacting states and shall monitor those activities being administered in noncompacting states that may significantly affect compacting states.