Subd. 1. Generally.

The advisory council is established under section 15.059 to advise the commissioner on the implementation and continued operations of sections 119A.10 to 119A.16 and 119A.20 to 119A.22. The council shall expire June 30, 2005.

Subd. 2. Council membership.

The council shall consist of a total of 22 members. The governor shall appoint 18 of these members. The commissioners of human services and health shall each appoint one member. The senate shall appoint one member from the senate committee with jurisdiction over family and early childhood education and the house of representatives shall appoint one member from the house committee with jurisdiction over family and early childhood education.

Council members shall have knowledge in the areas of child abuse and neglect prevention and intervention and knowledge of the risk factors that can lead to child abuse and neglect. Council members shall be representative of: local government, criminal justice, parents, consumers of services, health and human services professionals, faith community, professional and volunteer providers of child abuse and neglect prevention and intervention services, racial and ethnic minority communities, and the demographic and geographic composition of the state. Ten council members shall reside in the seven-county metropolitan area and eight shall reside in nonmetropolitan areas.

Subd. 3. Responsibilities.

The council shall:

1. (1) advise the commissioner on planning, policy development, data collection, rulemaking, funding, and evaluation of the programs under the sections listed in subdivision 1;
2. (2) coordinate and exchange information on the establishment and ongoing operation of the programs listed in subdivision 1;
3. (3) develop and publish criteria and guidelines for receiving grants relating to child abuse and neglect prevention and safety and support of child victims, including, but not limited to, funds dedicated to the children's trust fund and abused children program;
4. (4) provide guidance in the development of statewide education and public information activities that increase public awareness in the prevention and intervention of child abuse and neglect and encourage the development of prevention and intervention programs, which includes the safety of child victims;
5. (5) guide, analyze, and disseminate results in the development of appropriate evaluation procedures for all programs receiving funds under subdivision 1; and
6. (6) assist the commissioner in identifying service gaps or duplication in services including geographic dispersion of resources, programs reflecting the cycle of child abuse, and the availability of culturally appropriate intervention and prevention services.