(a) The Commission on Women, Children and Seniors shall:

(1) Focus its efforts on the following quality of life desired results for women, children and the family and elderly persons in the state: That they are (A) healthy, safe and achieve educational success; (B) free from poverty; and (C) free from discrimination;

(2) Make recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor for new or enhanced policies, programs and services that will foster progress in achieving the desired results described in subdivision (1) of this subsection. Such recommendations shall, when applicable, include, but need not be limited to: (A) Systems innovations, model policies and practices which embed two-generational practice in program, policy and systems change on the state and local levels; (B) strategies for reducing family poverty, promoting parent leadership and family civics; (C) the promotion of youth leadership opportunities that keep youth engaged in the community; and (D) strategies and programs that address equitable access, impede bias, and narrow the opportunity gap for women, children and the family and elderly persons in the state. Such recommendations may include other state and national best practices, and recommendations on federal funding maximization;

(3) Review and comment, as necessary, on any specific proposed state legislation or recommendations that may affect women, children and the family and elderly persons in the state and provide copies of any such comments to members of the General Assembly;

(4) Advise the General Assembly concerning the coordination and administration of state programs that affect women, children and the family and elderly persons in the state;

(5) Gather and maintain, as necessary, current information regarding women, children and the family and elderly persons in the state that can be used to better understand the status, condition, and contributions of such groups. Such information, as appropriate and pertinent to the desired results delineated in subdivision (1) of this subsection, shall be included in the annual report submitted in accordance with subsection (b) of this section and shall be made available to legislators and other interested parties upon request;

(6) Maintain liaisons between women, children and the family and elderly persons of the state and government agencies, including the General Assembly; and

(7) Conduct educational and outreach activities intended to raise awareness of and address critical issues for women, children and the family and elderly persons of the state.

(b) Not later than January first, annually, the commission shall submit a status report, organized by policy division, concerning its efforts and any progress made in achieving the desired results listed in subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a.

(c) The Commission on Women, Children and Seniors may: (1) Request, and shall receive, from any state agency such information and assistance as the commission may require; (2) use such funds as may be available from federal, state or other sources and may enter into contracts to carry out its purposes; (3) utilize voluntary and uncompensated services of private individuals, state or federal agencies and organizations as may, from time to time, be offered and needed; (4) recommend policies to federal agencies and political subdivisions of the state relative to women, children and the family and elderly persons of the state; (5) accept any gift, donation or bequest for the purpose of performing its duties; (6) hold public hearings; (7) establish task forces or advisory committees, as necessary, to perform its duties; (8) adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, as it may deem necessary to carry out its duties; and (9) inform leaders of business, education, state and local governments and the communications media of the nature and scope of the problems faced by women, children and the family and elderly persons.

(d) The executive director of the commission may enter into any agreement with a state agency for the purpose of maximizing the receipt of federal funds by such state agency, provided such state agency shall utilize any federal funds received as a result of such agreement to perform those statutory duties of such agency that relate to the commission's duties. The commission may accept that portion of federal funds received by any such state agency as a result of any such agreement which federal law otherwise permits to be received by the commission.

(May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3, S. 130.)

History: May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3 effective July 1, 2016.