The State Council on Maternal, Infant, and Child Health shall perform the following functions:

1. (A) annual assessment of maternal, infant, and child health status. For the purposes of this article child means a person under twenty-one years of age;
2. (B) annual identification of maternal, infant, and child health needs;
3. (C) annual assessment of the adequacy of the service delivery system to meet the identified needs. Issues such as accessibility, availability, and acceptability of services must be considered;
4. (D) development of a three-year service plan to meet the needs of this population. The plan shall address issues such as planning financing, staffing, and training. The plan must include measurable objectives and outcomes and must be submitted to the Governor for approval;
5. (E) development and oversight of a three-year implementation plan. The implementation plan must identify responsible parties and describe action steps with deadlines for the recommendations in the service plan. The implementation plan must be monitored quarterly and updated annually by the council;
6. (F) identification and recommendation of state policies and goals with regard to maternal, infant, and child health which must be the basis for plan and program development. Emphasis must be placed on prevention. The council shall review and comment on plans and implementation of plans which address maternal, infant, and child health issues such as the Perinatal Plan of Action, the Final Report by the Southern Regional Task Force on Infant Mortality, and the State Health Plan. The council's plan must be consistent with the State Health Plan;
7. (G) initiation of community awareness activities regarding maternal, infant, and child health issues. Information regarding high risk behaviors and available services must be included. Community awareness activities must also be aimed at women of childbearing age;
8. (H) the council shall meet at least twice a year; and
9. (I) the council shall submit an annual report to the General Assembly and the Governor by July first. The report must include information on activities of the council related to its goals and objectives, a progress report on implementation of the three-year service plan, recommendations regarding state policy and programs, and a progress report on initiation of mandated duties.