SB517: Bill Text

SB517,24,21 (10) Article X - Organization and Operation of the Interstate Commission. (a) Bylaws. 1. Within 12 months after the first interstate commission meeting, the interstate commission shall adopt bylaws and rules to govern the conduct of the interstate commission as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the compact.

SB517,25,2 2. The bylaws and rules of the interstate commission 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 information or official records to the extent that disclosure of the information or official records would adversely affect personal privacy rights or proprietary interests.

SB517,25,5 (b) Meetings. 1. 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 member states, shall call additional meetings.

SB517,25,11 2. Public notice shall be given by the interstate commission of all meetings, and all meetings shall be open to the public, except as set forth in the rules or as otherwise provided in the compact. The interstate commission or any of its committees may close a meeting, or portion of a meeting, 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:

SB517,25,13 a. Relate solely to the interstate commission's internal personnel practices and procedures.

SB517,25,15 b. Disclose matters that are specifically exempted from disclosure by federal law.

SB517,25,17 c. Disclose financial or commercial information that is privileged, proprietary, or confidential in nature.

SB517,25,18 d. Involve accusing a person of a crime or formally censuring a person.

SB517,25,21 e. Disclose information that is of a personal nature, if disclosure of the information would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or would physically endanger one or more persons.

SB517,25,23 f. Disclose investigative records that have been compiled for law enforcement purposes.

SB517,25,25 g. Specifically relate to the interstate commission's participation in a civil action or other legal proceeding.

SB517,26,10 3. For a meeting, or portion of a meeting, that is closed under subd. 2., the interstate commission's legal counsel or designee shall certify that the meeting may be closed and shall reference each provision under subd. 2. authorizing closure of the meeting. The interstate commission shall keep minutes that shall fully and clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken and the reasons for those actions, including a description of the views expressed and the record of a roll call vote. All documents considered in connection with an action shall be identified in the minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting shall remain under seal, subject to release by a majority vote of the interstate commission or by court order.

SB517,26,12 4. The bylaws may provide for meetings of the interstate commission to be conducted by telecommunication or other electronic communication.

SB517,26,18 (c) Officers and staff. 1. The interstate commission may, through its executive committee, appoint or retain a staff director for such period, upon such terms and conditions, and for such compensation as the interstate commission may consider appropriate. The staff director shall serve as secretary to the interstate commission, but may not have a vote. The staff director may hire and supervise such other staff as may be authorized by the interstate commission.

SB517,26,22 2. The interstate commission shall elect, from among its members, a chairperson and a vice chairperson of the executive committee and other necessary officers, each of whom shall have such authority and duties as may be specified in the bylaws.

SB517,27,8 (d) Qualified immunity, defense, and indemnification. 1. The staff director, employees, and representatives of the interstate commission shall be immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity, for a claim for damage to or loss of property, personal injury, or other civil liability caused by, arising out of, or relating to an 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 caused by a criminal act or the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of that person.

SB517,27,17 2. The liability of the staff director, employees, and representatives of the interstate commission, acting within the scope of that person's employment, duties, or responsibilities, for any act, error, or omission occurring within that person's state may not exceed the limits of liability set forth 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 caused by a criminal act or the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of that person. The interstate commission is considered to be an instrumentality of the state for the purposes of any such action.

SB517,28,2 3. The interstate commission shall defend the staff director and employees of the interstate commission and, subject to the approval of the attorney general or other appropriate legal counsel of the member state, shall defend the commissioner of a member state in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of an 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.

SB517,28,11 4. To the extent not covered by the state involved, the member state, or the interstate commission, the staff director, employees, and representatives of the interstate commission shall be held harmless in the amount of any settlement or judgment, including attorney fees and costs, obtained against those persons arising out of an 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.

SB517,28,14 (11) Article XI - Rule-Making Functions 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.

SB517,28,22 (b) Rule making shall occur under the criteria set forth 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 Procedures 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 as approved by the interstate commission.

SB517,28,24 (c) When promulgating a rule, the interstate commission shall do all of the following:

SB517,29,2 1. Publish the entire text of the proposed rule and state the reason for the proposed rule.

SB517,29,5 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.

SB517,29,7 3. Promulgate a final rule and its effective date, if appropriate, based on input from state or local officials and other interested parties.

SB517,29,10 (d) Rules promulgated by the interstate commission shall have the force and effect of administrative rules and shall be binding in the compacting states to the extent and in the manner provided for in this compact.

SB517,29,16 (e) Not later than 60 days after a rule is promulgated, an 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.

SB517,29,19 (f) If a majority of the legislatures of the member states reject a rule, those states may by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the compact cause the rule to have no further force and effect in any member state.

SB517,29,23 (g) The rules governing the operation of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children under ss. 48.988 and 48.989 shall be void no less than 12, but no more than 24, months after the first meeting of the interstate commission, as determined by the members during the first meeting.

SB517,29,25 (h) Within the first 12 months of operation, the interstate commission shall promulgate rules addressing all of the following:

SB517,30,1 1. Transition from the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children.

SB517,30,2 2. Forms and procedures.

SB517,30,3 3. Timelines.

SB517,30,4 4. Data collection and reporting.

SB517,30,5 5. Rule making.

SB517,30,6 6. Visitation.

SB517,30,7 7. Progress reports and supervision.

SB517,30,8 8. Sharing of information and confidentiality.

SB517,30,9 9. Financing of the interstate commission.

SB517,30,10 10. Mediation, arbitration, and dispute resolution.

SB517,30,11 11. Education, training, and technical assistance.

SB517,30,12 12. Enforcement.

SB517,30,13 13. Coordination with other interstate compacts.

SB517,30,16 (i) 1. Upon determination by a majority of the members of the interstate commission that an emergency exists, the interstate commission may promulgate an emergency rule, but only if the rule is required to do any of the following:

SB517,30,18 a. Protect the children covered by this compact from an imminent threat to their health, safety, and well-being.

SB517,30,19 b. Prevent the loss of federal or state funds.

SB517,30,21 c. Meet a deadline for the promulgation of an administrative rule required by federal law.

SB517,30,25 2. An emergency rule shall become effective immediately upon promulgation so long as the usual rule-making procedures provided under this subsection are 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.

SB517,31,2 3. An emergency rule shall be promulgated as provided for in the rules of the interstate commission.

SB517,31,5 (12) Article XII - Oversight, Dispute Resolution, and Enforcement. (a) Oversight. 1. The interstate commission shall oversee the administration and operations of the compact.

SB517,31,10 2. The executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government in each member state shall enforce this compact and the rules of the interstate commission and shall take all actions that are necessary and appropriate to effectuate the purposes and intent of the compact. The compact and its rules shall be binding in the compacting states to the extent and in the manner provided for in this compact.

SB517,31,13 3. All courts shall take judicial notice of the compact and the rules in any judicial or administrative proceeding in a member state pertaining to the subject matter of the compact.

SB517,31,20 4. The interstate commission shall be entitled to receive service of process in any action in which the validity of a compact provision or rule is the issue for which a judicial determination has been sought and shall have standing to intervene in the action. Failure to provide service of process to the interstate commission shall render any judgment, order, or other determination, however captioned or classified, void as to the interstate commission, this compact, or the bylaws or rules of the interstate commission.

SB517,31,24 (b) Dispute resolution. 1. The interstate commission shall attempt, upon the request of a member state, to resolve any dispute that is subject to the compact and that may arise among member states or between member states and nonmember states.

SB517,32,4 2. The interstate commission shall promulgate a rule providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes among compacting states. The costs of that mediation or dispute resolution shall be the responsibility of the parties to the dispute.

SB517,32,8 (c) Enforcement. 1. If the interstate commission determines that a member state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this compact or the bylaws or rules of the interstate commission, the interstate commission may do any of the following:

SB517,32,9 a. Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance.

SB517,32,12 b. Provide written notice to the defaulting state and other member states of the nature of the default and the means of curing the default. The interstate commission shall specify the conditions by which the defaulting state must cure its default.

SB517,32,19 c. By a majority vote of the members, initiate against a defaulting member state legal action in the U.S. district court for the District of Columbia or, at the discretion of the interstate commission, in the federal district court for the district in which the interstate commission has its principal office, to enforce compliance with the compact, the bylaws, or the rules. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. If judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of the litigation including reasonable attorney fees.

SB517,32,21 d. Avail itself of any other remedies available under state law or the regulation of official or professional conduct.

SB517,32,24 (13) Article XIII - Financing of the Interstate Commission. (a) The interstate commission shall pay or provide for the payment of the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities.

SB517,33,7 (b) The interstate commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each member state to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the interstate commission and its staff. The aggregate amount of the annual assessment shall be in an amount that is sufficient to cover the annual budget of the interstate commission, as approved by its members each year, and shall be allocated based upon a formula to be determined by the interstate commission, which shall promulgate a rule binding upon all member states.

SB517,33,11 (c) The interstate commission may not incur obligations of any kind before securing funds adequate to meet those obligations; nor may the interstate commission pledge the credit of any member state, except by and with the authority of the member state.

SB517,33,18 (d) The interstate commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the interstate commission shall be subject to the audit and accounting procedures established under its bylaws. All receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the interstate commission shall be audited yearly by a certified or licensed public accountant, and the report of the audit shall be included in and become a part of the annual report of the interstate commission.

SB517,33,20 (14) Article XIV - Member States, Effective Date, and Amendment. (a) Any state is eligible to become a member state.

SB517,34,5 (b) The compact shall become effective and binding upon legislative enactment of the compact into law by no less than 35 of the states. The initial effective date shall be July 1, 2007, or upon enactment of the compact into law by the 35th state, whichever is later. After that initial effective date, the compact shall become effective and binding as to any other member state upon enactment of the compact into law by that member state. The executive heads of the state human services administrations with ultimate responsibility for the child welfare programs of nonmember states or their designees shall be invited to participate in the activities of the interstate commission on a nonvoting basis before adoption of the compact by all states.

SB517,34,9 (c) The interstate commission may propose amendments to the compact for enactment by the member states. An amendment does not become effective and binding on the member states until the amendment is enacted into law by unanimous consent of the member states.

SB517,34,13 (15) Article XV - Withdrawal and Dissolution. (a) Withdrawal. 1. Once effective, the compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each member state, except that a member state may withdraw from the compact by specifically repealing the statute that enacted the compact into law in that state.

SB517,34,17 2. Withdrawal from this compact by a member state shall be by the enactment of legislation repealing the statute that enacted the compact into law in that member state. The effective date of a withdrawal by a member state shall be the effective date of the repeal of that statute.

SB517,34,21 3. A withdrawing state shall immediately notify the president of the interstate commission in writing upon the introduction of legislation repealing the compact in the withdrawing state. The interstate commission shall then notify the other member states of the withdrawing state's intent to withdraw.

SB517,34,23 4. A withdrawing state is responsible for all assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred to the effective date of the withdrawal.

SB517,35,3 5. Reinstatement in the compact following the withdrawal of a member state shall occur upon the withdrawing state reenacting the compact or upon such later date as determined by the members of the interstate commission.

SB517,35,6 (b) Dissolution of compact. 1. This compact shall dissolve upon the effective date of a withdrawal or default of a member state that reduces the membership in the compact to one member state.

SB517,35,10 2. Upon dissolution of this compact, the compact becomes void and shall be of no further force or effect, the business and affairs of the interstate commission shall be concluded, and any surplus funds shall be distributed in accordance with the bylaws.

SB517,35,13 (16) Article XVI - Severability and Construction. (a) The provisions of this compact shall be severable, and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision is held unenforceable, the remaining provisions of the compact shall be enforceable.

SB517,35,15 (b) The provisions of this compact shall be liberally construed to effectuate its purposes.

SB517,35,17 (c) Nothing in this compact shall be construed to prohibit the concurrent applicability of other interstate compacts to which the states are members.

SB517,35,20 (17) Article XVII - Binding Effect of Compact and Other Laws. (a) Other laws. This compact does not prevent the enforcement of any other law of a member state that is not inconsistent with this compact.

SB517,35,23 (b) Binding effect of compact. 1. All lawful actions of the interstate commission, including all rules and bylaws promulgated by the interstate commission, are binding upon the member states.

SB517,35,25 2. All agreements between the interstate commission and the member states are binding in accordance with their terms.

SB517,36,4 3. If a provision of this compact exceeds the constitutional limits imposed on the legislature of any member state, that provision shall be ineffective in that member state to the extent of the conflict with the constitutional provision in question.

SB517,36,10 (18) Article XVIII - Indian Tribes. Notwithstanding any other provision in this compact, the interstate commission may promulgate guidelines to permit Indian tribes to use the compact to achieve any of the purposes of the compact as specified in sub. (1). The interstate commission shall make reasonable efforts to consult with Indian tribes in promulgating guidelines to reflect the diverse circumstances of the various Indian tribes.

SB517, s. 12 Section 12. 632.896 (1) (c) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB517,36,17 632.896 (1) (c) 3. A sending agency, as defined in s. 48.988 (2) (d), places a child in the insured's home under s. 48.988 for adoption, or a public child placing agency, as defined in s. 48.99 (2) (r), or a private child placing agency, as defined in s. 48.99 (2) (p), of a sending state, as defined in s. 48.99 (2) (w), places a child in the insured's home under s. 48.99 as a preliminary step to a possible adoption, and the insured takes physical custody of the child at any location within the United States.

SB517, s. 13 Section 13. 938.988 of the statutes is amended to read:

SB517,36,22 938.988 Interstate placement of juveniles. Sections 48.988 and 48.989 apply to the interstate placement of juveniles, except that s. 48.99, rather than those sections, applies to the interstate placement of juveniles following withdrawal from the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children as described in s. 48.9895.

SB517, s. 14 Section 14. 938.999 (1) (b) 13. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB517,37,4 938.999 (1) (b) 13. Coordinate the implementation and operation of this compact with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children under ss. 48.988 and 48.989, the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children under s. 48.99, the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision under s. 304.16, and other compacts affecting juveniles, particularly in those cases in which concurrent or overlapping supervision issues arise.

SB517, s. 15 Section 15. 938.999 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read: