Sec. 8. (a) The council consists of at least fifteen (15) but not more than twenty-five (25) members appointed by the governor as follows:

(1) At least twenty percent (20%) of the members must be individuals who:

(A) are parents, including minority parents, of infants or toddlers with disabilities or of children who are less than thirteen (13) years of age with disabilities; and

(B) have knowledge of or experience with programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities.

At least one (1) of the members described in this subdivision must be a parent of an infant or toddler with a disability or of a child less than seven (7) years of age with a disability.

(2) At least twenty percent (20%) of the members must be public or private providers of early intervention services.

(3) At least one (1) member must be a member of the general assembly.

(4) Each of the state agencies involved in the provision of or payment for early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families must be represented by at least one (1) member. The members described in this subdivision must have sufficient authority to engage in policy planning and implementation on behalf of the state agency the member represents.

(5) At least one (1) member must be involved in personnel preparation.

(6) At least one (1) member must:

(A) represent a state educational agency responsible for preschool services to children with disabilities; and

(B) have sufficient authority to engage in policy planning and implementation on behalf of the agency.

(7) At least one (1) member must represent the department of insurance created by IC 27-1-1-1.

(8) At least one (1) member must represent an agency or program that is:

(A) located in Indiana; and

(B) authorized to participate in the Head Start program under 42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.

(9) At least one (1) member must represent a state agency responsible for child care.

(10) At least one (1) member must represent the office of Medicaid policy and planning established by IC 12-8-6.5-1.

(11) At least one (1) member must be a representative designated by the office of coordinator for education of homeless children and youths.

(12) At least one (1) member must be a state foster care representative from the department of child services established by IC 31-25-1-1.

(13) At least one (1) member must represent the division of mental health and addiction established by IC 12-21-1-1.

(b) To the extent possible, the governor shall ensure that the membership of the council reasonably represents the population of Indiana.

As added by P.L.93-2006, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.160-2012, SEC.30.