1. A. There is hereby created, to continue until January 1, 2011, the "Children’s Services Oversight Committee".

2. B.

   1. 1. The Committee shall consist of six (6) members with three members to be appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, and three members to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the State Senate.
   2. 2. A vacancy on the Committee shall be filled by the appointing authority.
   3. 3. Appointments to the Committee shall be made by August 1, 2009.
   4. 4. The Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives shall designate a chair from among the members of the Committee.
   5. 5. The chair shall convene the first meeting of the Committee by September 1, 2009.
   6. 6. A majority of the members present at a meeting shall constitute a quorum to conduct business.
   7. 7. The Committee shall meet at least biannually to review the reports provided by the Department as required by Section 23 of this act.
   8. 8. Members of the Committee shall receive no compensation for their service, but shall receive travel reimbursement in accordance with the provisions of Section 456 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
   9. 9. Administrative support for the Committee including, but not limited to, personnel necessary to ensure the proper performance of the duties and responsibilities of the Committee shall be provided by the staff of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

3. C. The Committee shall:

   1. 1. Provide oversight of the implementation of recommendations made pursuant to an audit of the Department of Human Services;
   2. 2. Be authorized to contract with third parties for the collection and assessment of follow-up information to ascertain the status of implementation of the recommendations, if necessary;
   3. 3. Examine legal representation models for child welfare cases; and
   4. 4. Review the training curriculum and progress on implementation and client outcomes.
4. D. The Committee shall issue a report of its findings to the Legislature and Governor no later than December 1, 2011.

Added by Laws 2009, HB 1734, c. 338, § 22, emerg. eff. July 1, 2009.