1. (A) There is created the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees which must be chaired by the Governor and must include the State Superintendent of Education who shall serve as ex officio voting members of the board. The board is composed of the twenty appointed, voting members as follows:

   1. (1) The Governor shall appoint two members from each of the following sectors:

      1. (a) parents of young children;
      2. (b) business community;
      3. (c) early childhood educators;
      4. (d) medical or child care and development providers; and
      5. (e) the General Assembly, one member from the Senate and one member from the House of Representatives.

   2. (2) The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint one member from each of the following sectors:

      1. (a) parents of young children;
      2. (b) business community;
      3. (c) early childhood educators; and
      4. (d) medical or child care and development providers.

   3. (3) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint one member from each of the following sectors:

      1. (a) parents of young children;
      2. (b) business community;
      3. (c) early childhood educators; and
      4. (d) medical or child care and development.
   4. (4) The chairman of the Senate Education Committee or his designee.
   5. (5) The chairman of the House Education and Public Works Committee or his designee.

   6. (6) The chief executive officer of each of the following shall serve as an ex officio nonvoting member:

      1. (a) Department of Social Services or his designee;
      2. (b) Department of Health and Environmental Control or his designee;
      3. (c) Department of Health and Human Services or his designee;
      4. (d) Department of Mental Health or his designee;
      5. (e) Department of Disabilities and Special Needs or his designee;
      6. (f) Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services or his designee;
      7. (g) Department of Transportation or his designee;
      8. (h) State Budget and Control Board, Division of Research and Statistics or his designee; and
      9. (i) State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education.

   7. (7) The following organizations shall designate one member to serve as an ex officio nonvoting member:

      1. (a) South Carolina State Library;
      2. (b) Transportation Association of South Carolina; and
      3. (c) State Advisory Committee on the Regulation of Childcare Facilities.
2. (B) The terms of the members are for four years and until their successors are appointed and qualify, except of those first appointed. When making the initial appointments, the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate half of their appointments to serve two-year terms only. The appointments of the members from the General Assembly shall be coterminous with their terms of office.
3. (C) Vacancies for any reason must be filled in the manner of the original appointment for the unexpired term. A member may not serve more than two terms or eight years, whichever is longer. A member who misses more than three consecutive meetings without excuse or a member who resigns must be replaced in the same manner as his predecessor. Members may be paid per diem, mileage, and subsistence as established by the board not to exceed standards provided by law for boards, committees, and commissions. A complete report of the activities of the First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees must be made annually to the General Assembly.

HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2.