Subd. 1. Authority to disburse funds.

The commissioner, with the advice and consent of the advisory council established under this section, may disburse trust fund money to any public or private nonprofit agency to fund a child abuse prevention program. State funds appropriated for child maltreatment prevention grants may be transferred to the children's trust fund special revenue account and are available to carry out this section.

Subd. 2. Advisory council.

An advisory council of 17 members is established under section 15.059. The commissioners of human services, health, and children, families, and learning shall each appoint one member. The subcommittee on committees of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives shall each appoint two members of their respective bodies, one from each caucus. The governor shall appoint an additional ten members who shall demonstrate knowledge in the area of child abuse prevention and shall represent the demographic and geographic composition of the state, and to the extent possible, represent the following groups: local government, parents, racial and ethnic minority communities, the religious community, professional providers of child abuse prevention services, and volunteers in child abuse prevention services. The council shall advise and assist the commissioner in carrying out sections 119A.10 to 119A.16. The council does not expire as provided by section 15.059, subdivision 5.

Subd. 3. Plan for disbursement of funds.

By June 1, 1987, the commissioner, assisted by the advisory council, shall develop a plan to disburse money from the trust fund. In developing the plan, the commissioner shall review prevention programs. The plan must ensure that all geographic areas of the state have an equal opportunity to establish prevention programs and receive trust fund money.

Subd. 4. Responsibilities of commissioner.

1. (a) The commissioner shall:

   1. (1) provide for the coordination and exchange of information on the establishment and maintenance of prevention programs;
   2. (2) develop and publish criteria for receiving trust fund money by prevention programs;
   3. (3) review, approve, and monitor the spending of trust fund money by prevention programs;
   4. (4) provide statewide educational and public informational seminars to develop public awareness on preventing child abuse; to encourage professional persons and groups to recognize instances of child abuse and work to prevent them; to make information on child abuse prevention available to the public and to organizations and agencies; and to encourage the development of prevention programs;
   5. (5) establish a procedure for an annual, internal evaluation of the functions, responsibilities, and performance of the commissioner in carrying out Laws 1986, chapter 423;
   6. (6) provide technical assistance to local councils and agencies working in the area of child abuse prevention; and
   7. (7) accept and review grant applications beginning June 1, 1987.

2. (b) The commissioner shall recommend to the governor changes in state programs, statutes, policies, budgets, and standards that will reduce the problems of child abuse, improve coordination among state agencies that provide prevention services, and improve the condition of children, parents, or guardians in need of prevention program services.

   * NOTE: See section 15.059, subdivision 5a, for expiration *of the child abuse prevention advisory council.