(1) There is created within the division a Youth Parole Authority.

(2) (a) The authority is composed of 10 part-time members and five pro tempore members who are residents of this state. No more than three pro tempore members may serve on the authority at any one time. (b) Throughout this section, the term "member" refers to both part-time and pro tempore members of the Youth Parole Authority.

(a) The authority is composed of 10 part-time members and five pro tempore members who are residents of this state. No more than three pro tempore members may serve on the authority at any one time.

(b) Throughout this section, the term "member" refers to both part-time and pro tempore members of the Youth Parole Authority.

(3) (a) Except as required by Subsection (3)(b), members shall be appointed to four-year terms by the governor with the consent of the Senate. (b) The governor shall, at the time of appointment or reappointment, adjust the length of terms to ensure that the terms of authority members are staggered so that approximately half of the authority is appointed every two years.

(a) Except as required by Subsection (3)(b), members shall be appointed to four-year terms by the governor with the consent of the Senate.

(b) The governor shall, at the time of appointment or reappointment, adjust the length of terms to ensure that the terms of authority members are staggered so that approximately half of the authority is appointed every two years.

(4) Each member shall have training or experience in social work, law, juvenile or criminal justice, or related behavioral sciences.

(5) When a vacancy occurs in the membership for any reason, the replacement member shall be appointed for the unexpired term.

(6) During the tenure of the member's appointment, a member may not: (a) be an employee of the department, other than in the member's capacity as a member of the authority; (b) hold any public office; (c) hold any position in the state's juvenile justice system; or (d) be an employee, officer, advisor, policy board member, or subcontractor of any juvenile justice agency or its contractor.

(a) be an employee of the department, other than in the member's capacity as a member of the authority;

(b) hold any public office;

(c) hold any position in the state's juvenile justice system; or

(d) be an employee, officer, advisor, policy board member, or subcontractor of any juvenile justice agency or its contractor.

(7) In extraordinary circumstances or when a regular member is absent or otherwise unavailable, the chair may assign a pro tempore member to act in the absent member's place.

(8) A member may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service, but may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with: (a) Section 63A-3-106; (b) Section 63A-3-107; and (c) rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107.

(a) Section 63A-3-106;

(b) Section 63A-3-107; and

(c) rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107.

(9) The authority shall determine appropriate parole dates for youth offenders in accordance with Section 62A-7-404.

(10) Youth offenders may be paroled to their own homes, to an independent living program contracted or operated by the division, to an approved independent living setting, or to other appropriate residences of qualifying relatives or guardians, but shall remain on parole until parole is terminated by the authority in accordance with Section 62A-7-404.

(11) The division's case management staff shall implement parole release plans and shall supervise youth offenders while on parole.

(12) The division shall permit the authority to have reasonable access to youth offenders in secure facilities and shall furnish all pertinent data requested by the authority in matters of parole, revocation, and termination.