§2168. Human Trafficking Prevention Commission Advisory Board

A. The Human Trafficking Prevention Commission Advisory Board, hereinafter referred to as "advisory board", is hereby created. The purpose of the advisory board shall be to provide information and recommendations from the perspective of advocacy groups, service providers, and victims. Primary responsibilities of the Human Trafficking Prevention Commission Advisory Board are the following:

(1) To ensure information sharing between governmental and nongovernmental entities serving victims of human trafficking.

(2) To make recommendations to the Human Trafficking Prevention Commission as requested by the commission.

(3) To make recommendations to the Human Trafficking Prevention Commission as determined to be necessary by the advisory board.

(4) To make recommendations by August thirty-first of each year to the Human Trafficking Prevention Commission as to the budget priorities for the coming year.

(5) To make recommendations by November thirtieth of each year to the Human Trafficking Prevention Commission as to specific budget items to be supported in the Children's Budget.

(6) To make an annual report by January thirty-first of each year to the legislature, Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, the House Committee on Health and Welfare, Select Committee on Women and Children, and any other legislative committee requesting a copy of the annual report, which shall summarize the well-being of Louisiana's children, the accomplishments of the past year, and specific goals and priorities for the next fiscal year.

B. The advisory board shall be composed of the following members appointed by the governor:

(1) A public defender nominated by the Louisiana Public Defender Board or its designee.

(2) A member nominated by the Louisiana District Attorneys Association.

(3) A member nominated by the Louisiana Association of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.

(4) A member nominated by the Louisiana Chapter, American College of Emergency Physicians.

(5) A member nominated by the Louisiana Chapter, National Association of Social Workers.

(6) An individual with expertise in advocacy for adult victims of human trafficking.

(7) The executive director of a residential program for victims of human trafficking.

(8) The executive director of a direct service program for victims of human trafficking.

(9) An individual with expertise in advocacy for child victims of human trafficking, nominated by the executive director of the Children's Cabinet or his designee.

(10) At least two individuals who are adult survivors of human trafficking, nominated by nonprofit organizations serving victims.

(11) A member nominated by Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana.

(12) A member nominated by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Advisory Board.

(13) A member nominated by the Louisiana Families In Need of Services Association.

(14) A member nominated by LouisianaChildren.org.

(15) A member nominated by the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations.

(16) A member with experience related to exploitation, nominated by the Louisiana Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry or its designee.

(17) A member nominated by the Louisiana School Counselors Association.

(18) A member nominated by the Louisiana Association of Children and Family Agencies.

(19) A member nominated by Louisiana Children's Advocacy Centers.

(20) A licensed psychologist with experience related to exploitation, nominated by the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.

(21) A member nominated by the Foundation Against Sexual Assault.

(22) A member nominated by the Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics or its designee.

C. Each member shall serve for a term concurrent with that of the governor. All members shall serve without compensation.

D. The advisory board shall be invited to all commission meetings and may participate in its discussions but shall have no vote on any matter brought before the commission.

E. The advisory board shall elect as officers a chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary from its membership and shall meet as needed. The advisory board shall create its own bylaws. Unless the bylaws provide for a greater quorum requirement, the presence in person or by proxy of one-third of the members who have been appointed by the governor shall constitute a quorum at the meetings of the advisory board.

F. The advisory board may appoint from time to time, to serve at its pleasure, additional members to serve on matters about which such additional members have expertise or experience. In the consideration of those matters for which an additional member is appointed, he shall have the same powers and duties during the period of his service as are enjoyed by the membership provided by Subsection B of this Section.

Acts 2017, No. 181, §1, eff. June 12, 2017.