| 1 | A bill to be entitled |
| 2 | An act relating to the Interstate Compact for Juveniles; |
| 3 | amending s. 985.502, F.S.; revising provisions of the |
| 4 | former Interstate Compact on Juveniles; providing purpose |
| 5 | of the compact; providing definitions; providing for an |
| 6 | Interstate Commission for Juveniles; providing for the |
| 7 | appointment of commissioners; providing for an executive |
| 8 | committee; providing for meetings; providing powers and |
| 9 | duties of the Interstate Commission; providing for its |
| 10 | organization and operation; providing for bylaws, |
| 11 | officers, and staff; providing for qualified immunity from |
| 12 | liability for the commissioners, the executive director, |
| 13 | and employees; requiring the Interstate Commission to |
| 14 | adopt rules; providing for oversight, enforcement, and |
| 15 | dispute resolution by the Interstate Commission; providing |
| 16 | for the activities of the Interstate Commission to be |
| 17 | financed by an annual assessment from each compacting |
| 18 | state; requiring member states to create a State Council |
| 19 | for Interstate Juvenile Supervision; providing for the |
| 20 | effective date of the compact and amendments thereto; |
| 21 | providing for a state's withdrawal from and reinstatement |
| 22 | to the compact; providing for assistance, certain |
| 23 | penalties, suspension, or termination following default by |
| 24 | a state; providing for judicial enforcement; providing for |
| 25 | dissolution of the compact; providing for severability and |
| 26 | construction of the compact; providing for the effect of |
| 27 | the compact with respect to other laws and for its binding |
| 28 | effect; creating s. 985.5025, F.S.; creating the State |
| 29 | Council for Interstate Juvenile Offender Supervision to |
| 30 | oversee state participation in the compact; providing |
| 31 | membership; providing for records and open meetings; |
| 32 | prescribing procedures if the council is abolished; |
| 33 | repealing ss. 985.503, 985.504, 985.505, 985.506, and |
| 34 | 985.507, F.S., relating to obsolete provisions governing |
| 35 | the former compact superseded by the act; providing for |
| 36 | the future legislative review and repeal of ss. 985.502 |
| 37 | and 985.5025, F.S.; providing an effective date. |
| 38 |
|
| 39 | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
| 40 |
|
| 41 | Section 1. Section 985.502, Florida Statutes, is amended |
| 42 | to read: |
| 43 | (Substantial rewording of section. See |
| 44 | s. 985.502, F.S., for present text.) |
| 45 | 985.502 Execution of interstate compact for |
| 46 | juveniles.--The Governor is authorized and directed to execute a |
| 47 | compact on behalf of this state with any other state or states |
| 48 | legally joining thereto in the form substantially as follows. |
| 49 | This compact does not interfere with this state's authority to |
| 50 | determine policy regarding juvenile offenders and nonoffenders |
| 51 | within this state. |
| 52 |
|
| 53 | THE INTERSTATE COMPACT FOR JUVENILES |
| 54 |
|
| 55 | ARTICLE I |
| 56 |
|
| 57 | PURPOSE.-- |
| 58 | (1) The compacting states to this Interstate Compact |
| 59 | recognize that each state is responsible for the proper |
| 60 | supervision or return of juveniles, delinquents, and status |
| 61 | offenders who are on probation or parole and who have absconded, |
| 62 | escaped, or run away from supervision and control and in so |
| 63 | doing have endangered their own safety and the safety of others. |
| 64 | The compacting states also recognize that each state is |
| 65 | responsible for the safe return of juveniles who have run away |
| 66 | from home and in doing so have left their state of residence. |
| 67 | The compacting states also recognize that Congress, by enacting |
| 68 | the Crime Control Act, 4 U.S.C. s. 112 (1965), has authorized |
| 69 | and encouraged compacts for cooperative efforts and mutual |
| 70 | assistance in the prevention of crime. |
| 71 | (2) It is the purpose of this compact, through means of |
| 72 | joint and cooperative action among the compacting states to: (A) |
| 73 | ensure that the adjudicated juveniles and status offenders |
| 74 | subject to this compact are provided adequate supervision and |
| 75 | services in the receiving state as ordered by the adjudicating |
| 76 | judge or parole authority in the sending state; (B) ensure that |
| 77 | the public safety interests of the public, including the victims |
| 78 | of juvenile offenders, in both the sending and receiving states |
| 79 | are adequately protected; (C) return juveniles who have run |
| 80 | away, absconded, or escaped from supervision or control or who |
| 81 | have been accused of an offense to the state requesting their |
| 82 | return; (D) make contracts for the cooperative |
| 83 | institutionalization in public facilities in member states for |
| 84 | delinquent youth needing special services; (E) provide for the |
| 85 | effective tracking and supervision of juveniles; (F) equitably |
| 86 | allocate the costs, benefits, and obligations of the compacting |
| 87 | states; (G) establish procedures to manage the movement between |
| 88 | states of juvenile offenders released to the community under the |
| 89 | jurisdiction of courts, juvenile departments, or any other |
| 90 | criminal or juvenile justice agency that has jurisdiction over |
| 91 | juvenile offenders; (H) ensure immediate notice to jurisdictions |
| 92 | where defined offenders are authorized to travel or to relocate |
| 93 | across state lines; (I) establish procedures to resolve pending |
| 94 | charges (detainers) against juvenile offenders prior to transfer |
| 95 | or release to the community under the terms of this compact; (J) |
| 96 | establish a system of uniform data collection of information |
| 97 | pertaining to juveniles subject to this compact which allows |
| 98 | access by authorized juvenile justice and criminal justice |
| 99 | officials, and regular reporting of activities under this |
| 100 | compact to heads of state executive, judicial, and legislative |
| 101 | branches and juvenile and criminal justice administrators; (K) |
| 102 | monitor compliance with rules governing interstate movement of |
| 103 | juveniles and initiate interventions to address and correct |
| 104 | noncompliance; (L) coordinate training and education regarding |
| 105 | the regulation of interstate movement of juveniles for officials |
| 106 | involved in such activity; and (M) coordinate the implementation |
| 107 | and operation of the compact with the Interstate Compact for the |
| 108 | Placement of Children, the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender |
| 109 | Supervision, and other compacts affecting juveniles, |
| 110 | particularly in those cases where concurrent or overlapping |
| 111 | supervision issues arise. It is the policy of the compacting |
| 112 | states that the activities conducted by the Interstate |
| 113 | Commission created in this compact are the formation of public |
| 114 | policies and therefore are public business. Furthermore, the |
| 115 | compacting states shall cooperate and observe their individual |
| 116 | and collective duties and responsibilities for the prompt return |
| 117 | and acceptance of juveniles subject to the provisions of the |
| 118 | compact. The provisions of the compact shall be reasonably and |
| 119 | liberally construed to accomplish the purposes and policies of |
| 120 | the compact. |
| 121 |
|
| 122 | ARTICLE II |
| 123 |
|
| 124 | DEFINITIONS.--As used in this compact, unless the context |
| 125 | clearly requires a different construction: |
| 126 | (1) "Bylaws" means those bylaws established by the |
| 127 | Interstate Commission for its governance or for directing or |
| 128 | controlling its actions or conduct. |
| 129 | (2) "Compact administrator" means the individual in each |
| 130 | compacting state, appointed pursuant to the terms of this |
| 131 | compact, who is responsible for the administration and |
| 132 | management of the state's supervision and transfer of juveniles |
| 133 | subject to the terms of this compact, the rules adopted by the |
| 134 | Interstate Commission, and the policies adopted by the state |
| 135 | council under this compact. |
| 136 | (3) "Compacting state" means any state that has enacted |
| 137 | the enabling legislation for this compact. |
| 138 | (4) "Commissioner" means the voting representative of each |
| 139 | compacting state appointed pursuant to Article III of this |
| 140 | compact. |
| 141 | (5) "Court" means any court having jurisdiction over |
| 142 | delinquent, neglected, or dependent children. |
| 143 | (6) "Deputy compact administrator" means the individual, |
| 144 | if any, in each compacting state appointed to act on behalf of a |
| 145 | compact administrator pursuant to the terms of the compact who |
| 146 | is responsible for the administration and management of the |
| 147 | state's supervision and transfer of juveniles subject to the |
| 148 | terms of this compact, the rules adopted by the Interstate |
| 149 | Commission, and the policies adopted by the state council under |
| 150 | this compact. |
| 151 | (7) "Interstate Commission" means the Interstate |
| 152 | Commission for Juveniles created by Article III of this compact. |
| 153 | (8) "Juvenile" means any person defined as a juvenile in |
| 154 | any member state or by the rules of the Interstate Commission, |
| 155 | including: |
| 156 | (a) Accused delinquent - a person charged with an offense |
| 157 | that, if committed by an adult, would be a criminal offense; |
| 158 | (b) Adjudicated delinquent - a person found to have |
| 159 | committed an offense that, if committed by an adult, would be a |
| 160 | criminal offense; |
| 161 | (c) Accused status offender - a person charged with an |
| 162 | offense that would not be a criminal offense if committed by an |
| 163 | adult; |
| 164 | (d) Adjudicated status offender - a person found to have |
| 165 | committed an offense that would not be a criminal offense if |
| 166 | committed by an adult; and |
| 167 | (e) Nonoffender - a person in need of supervision who has |
| 168 | not been accused or adjudicated a status offender or delinquent. |
| 169 | (9) "Noncompacting state" means any state that has not |
| 170 | enacted the enabling legislation for this compact. |
| 171 | (10) "Probation or parole" means any kind of supervision |
| 172 | or conditional release of juveniles authorized under the laws of |
| 173 | the compacting states. |
| 174 | (11) "Rule" means a written statement by the Interstate |
| 175 | Commission adopted pursuant to Article VI of this compact which |
| 176 | is of general applicability and implements, interprets, or |
| 177 | prescribes a policy or provision of the compact, or an |
| 178 | organizational, procedural, or practice requirement of the |
| 179 | commission; has the force and effect of statutory law in a |
| 180 | compacting state; and includes the amendment, repeal, or |
| 181 | suspension of an existing rule. |
| 182 | (12) "State" means a state of the United States, the |
| 183 | District of Columbia (or its designee), the Commonwealth of |
| 184 | Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American |
| 185 | Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. |
| 186 |
|
| 187 | ARTICLE III |
| 188 |
|
| 189 | INTERSTATE COMMISSION FOR JUVENILES.-- |
| 190 | (1) The compacting states hereby create the "Interstate |
| 191 | Commission for Juveniles." The Interstate Commission shall be a |
| 192 | body corporate and joint agency of the compacting states. The |
| 193 | Interstate Commission shall have all the responsibilities, |
| 194 | powers, and duties set forth in this compact, and such |
| 195 | additional powers as may be conferred upon it by subsequent |
| 196 | action of the respective legislatures of the compacting states |
| 197 | in accordance with the terms of this compact. |
| 198 | (2) The Interstate Commission shall consist of |
| 199 | commissioners appointed by the appropriate appointing authority |
| 200 | in each state pursuant to the rules and requirements of each |
| 201 | compacting state and in consultation with the State Council for |
| 202 | Interstate Juvenile Supervision created hereunder. The |
| 203 | commissioner shall be the compact administrator, deputy compact |
| 204 | administrator, or designee from that state who shall serve on |
| 205 | the Interstate Commission in such capacity under or pursuant to |
| 206 | the applicable law of the compacting state. |
| 207 | (3) In addition to the commissioners who are the voting |
| 208 | representatives of each state, the Interstate Commission shall |
| 209 | include individuals who are not commissioners, but who are |
| 210 | members of interested organizations. Such noncommissioner |
| 211 | members must include a member of the national organization of |
| 212 | governors, legislatures, state chief justices, attorneys |
| 213 | general, Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision, |
| 214 | Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children, juvenile |
| 215 | justice and juvenile corrections officials, and crime victims. |
| 216 | All noncommissioner members of the Interstate Commission shall |
| 217 | be ex officio, nonvoting members. The Interstate Commission may |
| 218 | provide in its bylaws for such additional ex officio, nonvoting |
| 219 | members, including members of other national organizations, in |
| 220 | such numbers as shall be determined by the Interstate |
| 221 | Commission. |
| 222 | (4) Each compacting state represented at any meeting of |
| 223 | the Interstate Commission is entitled to one vote. A majority of |
| 224 | the compacting states shall constitute a quorum for the |
| 225 | transaction of business, unless a larger quorum is required by |
| 226 | the bylaws of the Interstate Commission. |
| 227 | (5) The Interstate Commission shall establish an executive |
| 228 | committee, which shall include commission officers, members, and |
| 229 | others as determined by the bylaws. The executive committee |
| 230 | shall have the power to act on behalf of the Interstate |
| 231 | Commission during periods when the Interstate Commission is not |
| 232 | in session, with the exception of rulemaking or amendment to the |
| 233 | compact. The executive committee shall oversee the day-to-day |
| 234 | activities of the administration of the compact, which shall be |
| 235 | managed by an executive director and Interstate Commission |
| 236 | staff. The executive committee shall administer enforcement and |
| 237 | compliance with the provisions of the compact, its bylaws, and |
| 238 | rules, and shall perform other duties as directed by the |
| 239 | Interstate Commission or set forth in the bylaws. |
| 240 | (6) Each member of the Interstate Commission shall have |
| 241 | the right and power to cast a vote to which that compacting |
| 242 | state is entitled and to participate in the business and affairs |
| 243 | of the Interstate Commission. A member shall vote in person and |
| 244 | may not delegate a vote to another compacting state. However, a |
| 245 | commissioner, in consultation with the state council, shall |
| 246 | appoint another authorized representative, in the absence of the |
| 247 | commissioner from that state, to cast a vote on behalf of the |
| 248 | compacting state at a specified meeting. The bylaws may provide |
| 249 | for members' participation in meetings by telephone or other |
| 250 | means of telecommunication or electronic communication. |
| 251 | (7) The Interstate Commission shall collect standardized |
| 252 | data concerning the interstate movement of juveniles as directed |
| 253 | through its rules, which shall specify the data to be collected, |
| 254 | the means of collection and data exchange, and reporting |
| 255 | requirements. Such methods of data collection, exchange, and |
| 256 | reporting shall, insofar as is reasonably possible, conform to |
| 257 | up-to-date technology and coordinate its information functions |
| 258 | with the appropriate repository of records. |
| 259 |
|
| 260 | ARTICLE IV |
| 261 |
|
| 262 | POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION.--The |
| 263 | Interstate Commission shall have the following powers and |
| 264 | duties: |
| 265 | (1) To provide for dispute resolution among compacting |
| 266 | states. |
| 267 | (2) To adopt rules to effect the purposes and obligations |
| 268 | as enumerated in this compact, and which shall have the force |
| 269 | and effect of statutory law and shall be binding in the |
| 270 | compacting states to the extent and in the manner provided in |
| 271 | this compact. |
| 272 | (3) To oversee, supervise, and coordinate the interstate |
| 273 | movement of juveniles subject to the terms of this compact and |
| 274 | any bylaws and rules adopted by the Interstate Commission. |
| 275 | (4) To enforce compliance with the compact provisions, the |
| 276 | rules adopted by the Interstate Commission, and the bylaws, |
| 277 | using all necessary and proper means, including, but not limited |
| 278 | to, the use of judicial process. |
| 279 | (5) To establish and maintain offices that are located |
| 280 | within one or more of the compacting states. |
| 281 | (6) To purchase and maintain insurance and bonds. |
| 282 | (7) To borrow, accept, hire, or contract for services of |
| 283 | personnel. |
| 284 | (8) To establish and appoint committees and hire staff |
| 285 | that it deems necessary for carrying out its functions, |
| 286 | including, but not limited to, an executive committee as |
| 287 | required in Article III which shall have the power to act on |
| 288 | behalf of the Interstate Commission in carrying out its powers |
| 289 | and duties hereunder. |
| 290 | (9) To elect or appoint such officers, attorneys, |
| 291 | employees, agents, or consultants; to fix their compensation, |
| 292 | define their duties, and determine their qualifications; and to |
| 293 | establish the Interstate Commission's personnel policies and |
| 294 | programs relating to, inter alia, conflicts of interest, rates |
| 295 | of compensation, and qualifications of personnel. |
| 296 | (10) To accept any and all donations and grants of money, |
| 297 | equipment, supplies, materials, and services, and to receive, |
| 298 | use, and dispose of such donations and grants. |
| 299 | (11) To lease, purchase, accept contributions or donations |
| 300 | of, or otherwise to own, hold, improve, or use any property, |
| 301 | real, personal, or mixed. |
| 302 | (12) To sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, |
| 303 | abandon, or otherwise dispose of any property, real, personal, |
| 304 | or mixed. |
| 305 | (13) To establish a budget and make expenditures and levy |
| 306 | dues as provided in Article VIII of this compact. |
| 307 | (14) To sue and to be sued. |
| 308 | (15) To adopt a seal and bylaws governing the management |
| 309 | and operation of the Interstate Commission. |
| 310 | (16) To perform such functions as may be necessary or |
| 311 | appropriate to achieve the purposes of this compact. |
| 312 | (17) To report annually to the legislatures, governors, |
| 313 | judiciary, and state councils of the compacting states |
| 314 | concerning the activities of the Interstate Commission during |
| 315 | the preceding year. Such reports shall also include any |
| 316 | recommendations that may have been adopted by the Interstate |
| 317 | Commission. |
| 318 | (18) To coordinate education, training, and public |
| 319 | awareness regarding the interstate movement of juveniles for |
| 320 | officials involved in such activity. |
| 321 | (19) To establish uniform standards of the reporting, |
| 322 | collecting, and exchanging of data. |
| 323 | (20) To maintain its corporate books and records in |
| 324 | accordance with the bylaws. |
| 325 |
|
| 326 | ARTICLE V |
| 327 |
|
| 328 | ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION.-- |
| 329 | Section A. Bylaws.--The Interstate Commission shall, by a |
| 330 | majority of the members present and voting, within 12 months |
| 331 | after the first Interstate Commission meeting, adopt bylaws to |
| 332 | govern its conduct as may be necessary or appropriate to carry |
| 333 | out the purposes of the compact, including, but not limited to: |
| 334 | (1) Establishing the fiscal year of the Interstate |
| 335 | Commission; |
| 336 | (2) Establishing an executive committee and such other |
| 337 | committees as may be necessary; |
| 338 | (3) Providing for the establishment of committees |
| 339 | governing any general or specific delegation of any authority or |
| 340 | function of the Interstate Commission; |
| 341 | (4) Providing reasonable procedures for calling and |
| 342 | conducting meetings of the Interstate Commission and ensuring |
| 343 | reasonable notice of each such meeting; |
| 344 | (5) Establishing the titles and responsibilities of the |
| 345 | officers of the Interstate Commission; |
| 346 | (6) Providing a mechanism for concluding the operation of |
| 347 | the Interstate Commission and the return of any surplus funds |
| 348 | that may exist upon the termination of the compact after the |
| 349 | payment or reserving all of its debts and obligations; |
| 350 | (7) Providing start-up rules for initial administration of |
| 351 | the compact; and |
| 352 | (8) Establishing standards and procedures for compliance |
| 353 | and technical assistance in carrying out the compact. |
| 354 | Section B. Officers and staff.-- |
| 355 | (1) The Interstate Commission shall, by a majority of the |
| 356 | members, elect annually from among its members a chairperson and |
| 357 | vice chairperson, each of whom shall have such authority and |
| 358 | duties as may be specified in the bylaws. The chairperson or, in |
| 359 | the chairperson's absence or disability, the vice chairperson |
| 360 | shall preside at all meetings of the Interstate Commission. The |
| 361 | officers so elected shall serve without compensation or |
| 362 | remuneration from the Interstate Commission; provided that, |
| 363 | subject to the availability of budgeted funds, the officers |
| 364 | shall be reimbursed for any ordinary and necessary costs and |
| 365 | expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties and |
| 366 | responsibilities as officers of the Interstate Commission. |
| 367 | (2) The Interstate Commission shall, through its executive |
| 368 | committee, appoint or retain an executive director for such |
| 369 | period, upon such terms and conditions, and for such |
| 370 | compensation as the Interstate Commission deems appropriate. The |
| 371 | executive director shall serve as secretary to the Interstate |
| 372 | Commission, but may not be a member, and shall hire and |
| 373 | supervise such other staff as may be authorized by the |
| 374 | Interstate Commission. |
| 375 | Section C. Qualified immunity, defense, and |
| 376 | indemnification.-- |
| 377 | (1) The Interstate Commission's executive director and |
| 378 | employees shall be immune from suit and liability, either |
| 379 | personally or in their official capacity, for any claim for |
| 380 | damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil |
| 381 | liability caused or arising out of or relating to any actual or |
| 382 | alleged act, error, or omission that occurred, or that such |
| 383 | person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred, within the |
| 384 | scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; |
| 385 | provided that any such person is not protected from suit or |
| 386 | liability for any damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by |
| 387 | the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of any such |
| 388 | person. |
| 389 | (2) The liability of any commissioner, or the employee or |
| 390 | agent of a commissioner, acting within the scope of such |
| 391 | person's employment or duties for acts, errors, or omissions |
| 392 | occurring within such person's state may not exceed the limits |
| 393 | of liability set forth under the constitution and laws of that |
| 394 | state for state officials, employees, and agents. Nothing in |
| 395 | this subsection shall be construed to protect any such person |
| 396 | from suit or liability for any damage, loss, injury, or |
| 397 | liability caused by the intentional or willful and wanton |
| 398 | misconduct of any such person. |
| 399 | (3) The Interstate Commission shall defend the executive |
| 400 | director or the employees or representatives of the Interstate |
| 401 | Commission and, subject to the approval of the Attorney General |
| 402 | of the state represented by any commissioner of a compacting |
| 403 | state, shall defend such commissioner or the commissioner's |
| 404 | representatives or employees in any civil action seeking to |
| 405 | impose liability arising out of any actual or alleged act, |
| 406 | error, or omission that occurred within the scope of Interstate |
| 407 | Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that the |
| 408 | defendant had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within |
| 409 | the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or |
| 410 | responsibilities; provided that the actual or alleged act, |
| 411 | error, or omission did not result from intentional or willful |
| 412 | and wanton misconduct on the part of such person. |
| 413 | (4) The Interstate Commission shall indemnify and hold the |
| 414 | commissioner of a compacting state or the commissioner's |
| 415 | representatives or employees, or the Interstate Commission's |
| 416 | representatives or employees, harmless in the amount of any |
| 417 | settlement or judgment obtained against such persons arising out |
| 418 | of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred |
| 419 | within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or |
| 420 | responsibilities, or that such persons had a reasonable basis |
| 421 | for believing occurred within the scope of Interstate Commission |
| 422 | employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided that the |
| 423 | actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from |
| 424 | intentional or willful and wanton misconduct on the part of such |
| 425 | persons. |
| 426 |
|
| 427 | ARTICLE VI |
| 428 |
|
| 429 | RULEMAKING FUNCTIONS OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION.-- |
| 430 | (1) The Interstate Commission shall adopt and publish |
| 431 | rules in order to effectively and efficiently achieve the |
| 432 | purposes of the compact. |
| 433 | (2) Rulemaking shall occur pursuant to the criteria set |
| 434 | forth in this article and the bylaws and rules adopted pursuant |
| 435 | thereto. Such rulemaking shall substantially conform to the |
| 436 | principles of the "Model State Administrative Procedures Act," |
| 437 | 1981 Act, Uniform Laws Annotated, Vol. 15, p. 1 (2000), or such |
| 438 | other administrative procedures act as the Interstate Commission |
| 439 | deems appropriate consistent with due process requirements under |
| 440 | the United States Constitution as now or hereafter interpreted |
| 441 | by the United States Supreme Court. All rules and amendments |
| 442 | shall become binding as of the date specified, as published with |
| 443 | the final version of the rule as approved by the Interstate |
| 444 | Commission. |
| 445 | (3) When adopting a rule, the Interstate Commission shall, |
| 446 | at a minimum: |
| 447 | (a) Publish the proposed rule's entire text stating the |
| 448 | reason for that proposed rule; |
| 449 | (b) Allow and invite any and all persons to submit written |
| 450 | data, facts, opinions, and arguments, which information shall be |
| 451 | added to the record and made publicly available; |
| 452 | (c) Provide an opportunity for an informal hearing if |
| 453 | petitioned by 10 or more persons; and |
| 454 | (d) Adopt a final rule and its effective date, if |
| 455 | appropriate, based on input from state or local officials or |
| 456 | interested parties. |
| 457 | (4) Allow, not later than 60 days after a rule is adopted, |
| 458 | any interested person to file a petition in the United States |
| 459 | District Court for the District of Columbia, or in the Federal |
| 460 | District Court where the Interstate Commission's principal |
| 461 | office is located, for judicial review of such rule. If the |
| 462 | court finds that the Interstate Commission's actions are not |
| 463 | supported by the substantial evidence in the rulemaking record, |
| 464 | the court shall hold the rule unlawful and set it aside. For |
| 465 | purposes of this subsection, evidence is substantial if it would |
| 466 | be considered substantial evidence under the Model State |
| 467 | Administrative Procedures Act. |
| 468 | (5) If a majority of the legislatures of the compacting |
| 469 | states rejects a rule, those states may, by enactment of a |
| 470 | statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the |
| 471 | compact, cause that such rule shall have no further force and |
| 472 | effect in any compacting state. |
| 473 | (6) The existing rules governing the operation of the |
| 474 | Interstate Compact on Juveniles superseded by this act shall be |
| 475 | null and void 12 months after the first meeting of the |
| 476 | Interstate Commission created hereunder. |
| 477 | (7) Upon determination by the Interstate Commission that a |
| 478 | state of emergency exists, it may adopt an emergency rule that |
| 479 | shall become effective immediately upon adoption; provided that |
| 480 | the usual rulemaking procedures provided hereunder shall be |
| 481 | retroactively applied to said rule as soon as reasonably |
| 482 | possible, but no later than 90 days after the effective date of |
| 483 | the emergency rule. |
| 484 |
|
| 485 | ARTICLE VII |
| 486 |
|
| 487 | OVERSIGHT, ENFORCEMENT, AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION BY THE |
| 488 | INTERSTATE COMMISSION.-- |
| 489 | Section A. Oversight.-- |
| 490 | (1) The Interstate Commission shall oversee the |
| 491 | administration and operations of the interstate movement of |
| 492 | juveniles subject to this compact in the compacting states and |
| 493 | shall monitor such activities being administered in |
| 494 | noncompacting states which may significantly affect compacting |
| 495 | states. |
| 496 | (2) The courts and executive agencies in each compacting |
| 497 | state shall enforce this compact and shall take all actions |
| 498 | necessary and appropriate to effectuate the compact's purposes |
| 499 | and intent. The provisions of this compact and the rules adopted |
| 500 | hereunder shall be received by all the judges, public officers, |
| 501 | commissions, and departments of the state government as evidence |
| 502 | of the authorized statute and administrative rules. All courts |
| 503 | shall take judicial notice of the compact and the rules. In any |
| 504 | judicial or administrative proceeding in a compacting state |
| 505 | pertaining to the subject matter of this compact which may |
| 506 | affect the powers, responsibilities, or actions of the |
| 507 | Interstate Commission, the commission shall be entitled to |
| 508 | receive all service of process in any such proceeding and shall |
| 509 | have standing to intervene in the proceeding for all purposes. |
| 510 | Section B. Dispute resolution.-- |
| 511 | (1) The compacting states shall report to the Interstate |
| 512 | Commission on all issues and activities necessary for the |
| 513 | administration of the compact as well as issues and activities |
| 514 | pertaining to compliance with the provisions of the compact and |
| 515 | its bylaws and rules. |
| 516 | (2) The Interstate Commission shall attempt, upon the |
| 517 | request of a compacting state, to resolve any disputes or other |
| 518 | issues that are subject to the compact and that may arise among |
| 519 | compacting states and between compacting and noncompacting |
| 520 | states. The commission shall adopt a rule providing for both |
| 521 | mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes among the |
| 522 | compacting states. |
| 523 | (3) The Interstate Commission, in the reasonable exercise |
| 524 | of its discretion, shall enforce the provisions and rules of |
| 525 | this compact using any or all means set forth in Article XI of |
| 526 | this compact. |
| 527 |
|
| 528 | ARTICLE VIII |
| 529 |
|
| 530 | FINANCE.-- |
| 531 | (1) The Interstate Commission shall pay or provide for the |
| 532 | payment of the reasonable expenses of its establishment, |
| 533 | organization, and ongoing activities. |
| 534 | (2) The Interstate Commission shall levy on and collect an |
| 535 | annual assessment from each compacting state to cover the cost |
| 536 | of the internal operations and activities of the Interstate |
| 537 | Commission and its staff which must be in a total amount |
| 538 | sufficient to cover the Interstate Commission's annual budget as |
| 539 | approved each year. The aggregate annual assessment amount shall |
| 540 | be allocated based upon a formula to be determined by the |
| 541 | Interstate Commission, taking into consideration the population |
| 542 | of each compacting state and the volume of interstate movement |
| 543 | of juveniles in each compacting state, and the Interstate |
| 544 | Commission shall adopt a rule that is binding upon all |
| 545 | compacting states governing the assessment. |
| 546 | (3) The Interstate Commission shall not incur any |
| 547 | obligations of any kind prior to securing the funds adequate to |
| 548 | meet the same, nor shall the Interstate Commission pledge the |
| 549 | credit of any of the compacting states, except by and with the |
| 550 | authority of the compacting state. |
| 551 | (4) The Interstate Commission shall keep accurate accounts |
| 552 | of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and |
| 553 | disbursements of the Interstate Commission shall be subject to |
| 554 | the audit and accounting procedures established under its |
| 555 | bylaws. However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled |
| 556 | by the Interstate Commission shall be audited yearly by a |
| 557 | certified or licensed public accountant, and the report of the |
| 558 | audit shall be included in and become part of the annual report |
| 559 | of the Interstate Commission. |
| 560 |
|
| 561 | ARTICLE IX |
| 562 |
|
| 563 | THE STATE COUNCIL.--Each member shall create a State |
| 564 | Council for Interstate Juvenile Supervision. While each state |
| 565 | may determine the membership of its own state council, its |
| 566 | membership must include at least one representative from the |
| 567 | legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government; at |
| 568 | least one representative of victims groups; a parent of a youth |
| 569 | who is not currently in the juvenile justice system; and the |
| 570 | compact administrator, deputy compact administrator, or |
| 571 | designee. Each compacting state retains the right to determine |
| 572 | the qualifications of the compact administrator or deputy |
| 573 | compact administrator. Each state council may advise and |
| 574 | exercise oversight and advocacy concerning that state's |
| 575 | participation in the activities of the Interstate Commission and |
| 576 | other duties as may be determined by that state, including, but |
| 577 | not limited to, development of policy concerning operations and |
| 578 | procedures of the compact within that state. |
| 579 |
|
| 580 | ARTICLE X |
| 581 |
|
| 582 | COMPACTING STATES, EFFECTIVE DATE, AND AMENDMENT.-- |
| 583 | (1) Any state, including the District of Columbia (or its |
| 584 | designee), the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States |
| 585 | Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana |
| 586 | Islands, as defined in Article II of this compact, is eligible |
| 587 | to become a compacting state. |
| 588 | (2) The compact shall become effective and binding upon |
| 589 | legislative enactment of the compact into law by no less than 35 |
| 590 | of the states. The initial effective date shall be the later of |
| 591 | July 1, 2005, or upon enactment into law by the 35th |
| 592 | jurisdiction. Thereafter, it shall become effective and binding |
| 593 | as to any other compacting state upon enactment of the compact |
| 594 | into law by that state. The governors of nonmember states or |
| 595 | their designees shall be invited to participate in the |
| 596 | activities of the Interstate Commission on a nonvoting basis |
| 597 | prior to adoption of the compact by all states and territories |
| 598 | of the United States. |
| 599 | (3) The Interstate Commission may propose amendments to |
| 600 | the compact for enactment by the compacting states. No amendment |
| 601 | shall become effective and binding upon the Interstate |
| 602 | Commission and the compacting states unless and until it is |
| 603 | enacted into law by unanimous consent of the compacting states. |
| 604 |
|
| 605 | ARTICLE XI |
| 606 |
|
| 607 | WITHDRAWAL, DEFAULT, TERMINATION, AND JUDICIAL |
| 608 | ENFORCEMENT.-- |
| 609 | Section A. Withdrawal.-- |
| 610 | (1) Once effective, the compact shall continue in force |
| 611 | and remain binding upon each and every compacting state; |
| 612 | provided that a compacting state may withdraw from the compact |
| 613 | by specifically repealing the statute that enacted the compact |
| 614 | into law. |
| 615 | (2) The effective date of withdrawal is the effective date |
| 616 | of the repeal. |
| 617 | (3) The withdrawing state shall immediately notify the |
| 618 | chairperson of the Interstate Commission in writing upon the |
| 619 | introduction of legislation repealing this compact in the |
| 620 | withdrawing state. The Interstate Commission shall notify the |
| 621 | other compacting states of the withdrawing state's intent to |
| 622 | withdraw within 60 days after its receipt thereof. |
| 623 | (4) The withdrawing state is responsible for all |
| 624 | assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the |
| 625 | effective date of withdrawal, including any obligations the |
| 626 | performance of which extends beyond the effective date of |
| 627 | withdrawal. |
| 628 | (5) Reinstatement following withdrawal of any compacting |
| 629 | state shall occur upon the withdrawing state's reenacting the |
| 630 | compact or upon such later date as determined by the Interstate |
| 631 | Commission. |
| 632 | Section B. Technical assistance, fines, suspension, |
| 633 | termination, and default.-- |
| 634 | (1) If the Interstate Commission determines that any |
| 635 | compacting state has at any time defaulted in the performance of |
| 636 | any of its obligations or responsibilities under this compact, |
| 637 | or the bylaws or duly adopted rules, the Interstate Commission |
| 638 | may impose any or all of the following penalties: |
| 639 | (a) Remedial training and technical assistance as directed |
| 640 | by the Interstate Commission; |
| 641 | (b) Alternative dispute resolution; |
| 642 | (c) Fines, fees, and costs in such amounts as are deemed |
| 643 | to be reasonable as fixed by the Interstate Commission; or |
| 644 | (d) Suspension or termination of membership in the |
| 645 | compact, which shall be imposed only after all other reasonable |
| 646 | means of securing compliance under the bylaws and rules have |
| 647 | been exhausted and the Interstate Commission has therefore |
| 648 | determined that the offending state is in default. Immediate |
| 649 | notice of suspension shall be given by the Interstate Commission |
| 650 | to the Governor, the Chief Justice or the Chief Judicial Officer |
| 651 | of the state, the majority and the minority leaders of the |
| 652 | defaulting state's legislature, and the state council. The |
| 653 | grounds for default include, but are not limited to, failure of |
| 654 | a compacting state to perform such obligations or |
| 655 | responsibilities imposed upon it by this compact, the bylaws, or |
| 656 | duly adopted rules and any other ground designated in commission |
| 657 | bylaws and rules. The Interstate Commission shall immediately |
| 658 | notify the defaulting state in writing of the penalty imposed by |
| 659 | the Interstate Commission and of the default pending a cure of |
| 660 | the default. The commission shall stipulate the conditions and |
| 661 | the time period within which the defaulting state must cure its |
| 662 | default. If the defaulting state fails to cure the default |
| 663 | within the period specified by the commission, the defaulting |
| 664 | state shall be terminated from the compact upon an affirmative |
| 665 | vote of a majority of the compacting states and all rights, |
| 666 | privileges, and benefits conferred by this compact shall be |
| 667 | terminated from the effective date of termination. |
| 668 | (2) Within 60 days after the effective date of termination |
| 669 | of a defaulting state, the Interstate Commission shall notify |
| 670 | the Governor, the Chief Justice or Chief Judicial Officer, the |
| 671 | majority and minority leaders of the defaulting state's |
| 672 | legislature, and the state council of such termination. |
| 673 | (3) The defaulting state is responsible for all |
| 674 | assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the |
| 675 | effective date of termination, including any obligations the |
| 676 | performance of which extends beyond the effective date of |
| 677 | termination. |
| 678 | (4) The Interstate Commission shall not bear any costs |
| 679 | relating to the defaulting state unless otherwise mutually |
| 680 | agreed upon in writing between the Interstate Commission and the |
| 681 | defaulting state. |
| 682 | (5) Reinstatement following termination of any compacting |
| 683 | state requires both a reenactment of the compact by the |
| 684 | defaulting state and the approval of the Interstate Commission |
| 685 | pursuant to the rules. |
| 686 | Section C. Judicial enforcement.--The Interstate |
| 687 | Commission may, by majority vote of the members, initiate legal |
| 688 | action in the United States District Court for the District of |
| 689 | Columbia or, at the discretion of the Interstate Commission, in |
| 690 | the federal district where the Interstate Commission has its |
| 691 | offices, to enforce compliance with the provisions of the |
| 692 | compact and its duly adopted rules and bylaws against any |
| 693 | compacting state in default. In the event judicial enforcement |
| 694 | is necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of |
| 695 | such litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees. |
| 696 | Section D. Dissolution of compact.-- |
| 697 | (1) The compact dissolves effective upon the date of the |
| 698 | withdrawal or default of the compacting state which reduces |
| 699 | membership in the compact to one compacting state. |
| 700 | (2) Upon the dissolution of the compact, the compact |
| 701 | becomes null and void and shall be of no further force or |
| 702 | effect, the business and affairs of the Interstate Commission |
| 703 | shall be concluded, and any surplus funds shall be distributed |
| 704 | in accordance with the bylaws. |
| 705 |
|
| 706 | ARTICLE XII |
| 707 |
|
| 708 | SEVERABILITY AND CONSTRUCTION.-- |
| 709 | (1) The provisions of this compact are severable, and if |
| 710 | any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision is deemed |
| 711 | unenforceable, the remaining provisions of the compact shall be |
| 712 | enforceable. |
| 713 | (2) The provisions of this compact shall be liberally |
| 714 | construed to effectuate its purposes. |
| 715 |
|
| 716 | ARTICLE XIII |
| 717 |
|
| 718 | BINDING EFFECT OF COMPACT AND OTHER LAWS.-- |
| 719 | Section A. Other laws.-- |
| 720 | (1) Nothing herein prevents the enforcement of any other |
| 721 | law of a compacting state which is not inconsistent with this |
| 722 | compact. |
| 723 | (2) All compacting states' laws other than state |
| 724 | constitutions and other interstate compacts conflicting with |
| 725 | this compact are superseded to the extent of the conflict. |
| 726 | Section B. Binding effect of the compact.-- |
| 727 | (1) All lawful actions of the Interstate Commission, |
| 728 | including all rules and bylaws adopted by the Interstate |
| 729 | Commission, are binding upon the compacting states. |
| 730 | (2) All agreements between the Interstate Commission and |
| 731 | the compacting states are binding in accordance with their |
| 732 | terms. |
| 733 | (3) Upon the request of a party to a conflict over meaning |
| 734 | or interpretation of Interstate Commission actions, and upon a |
| 735 | majority vote of the compacting states, the Interstate |
| 736 | Commission may issue advisory opinions regarding such meaning or |
| 737 | interpretation. |
| 738 | (4) In the event any provision of this compact exceeds the |
| 739 | constitutional limits imposed on any compacting state, the |
| 740 | obligations, duties, powers, or jurisdiction sought to be |
| 741 | conferred by such provision upon the Interstate Commission shall |
| 742 | be ineffective and such obligations, duties, powers, or |
| 743 | jurisdiction shall remain in the compacting state and shall be |
| 744 | exercised by the agency thereof to which such obligations, |
| 745 | duties, powers, or jurisdiction are delegated by law in effect |
| 746 | at the time this compact becomes effective. |
| 747 | Section 2. Section 985.5025, Florida Statutes, is created |
| 748 | to read: |
| 749 | 985.5025 State Council for Interstate Juvenile Offender |
| 750 | Supervision.-- |
| 751 | (1) Pursuant to Article IX of the Interstate Compact for |
| 752 | Juveniles in s. 985.502, the State Council for Interstate |
| 753 | Juvenile Offender Supervision is created. The purpose of the |
| 754 | council is to oversee state participation in the activities of |
| 755 | the Interstate Commission for Juveniles. |
| 756 | (2) The council shall consist of seven members and the |
| 757 | Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice or his or her |
| 758 | designee, who shall serve as the chair of the council and may |
| 759 | vote only to break a tie. The compact administrator or his or |
| 760 | her designee and the Executive Director of the Department of Law |
| 761 | Enforcement or his or her designee shall serve as members of the |
| 762 | council. The remaining members shall be appointed by the |
| 763 | Governor for terms of 4 years; however, the Governor may, in |
| 764 | writing and on an individual basis for each appointee, delegate |
| 765 | the power of appointment to the Secretary of Juvenile Justice. |
| 766 | Of the initial appointees, one shall be appointed for a term of |
| 767 | 1 year, one shall be appointed for a term of 2 years, one shall |
| 768 | be appointed for a term of 3 years, and two shall be appointed |
| 769 | for terms of 4 years each. |
| 770 | (3) Appointees shall be selected from individuals with |
| 771 | personal or professional experience in the juvenile justice |
| 772 | system and may include a victim's advocate, employees of the |
| 773 | Department of Children and Family Services, employees of the |
| 774 | Department of Law Enforcement who work with missing and |
| 775 | exploited children, and a parent who, at the time of |
| 776 | appointment, does not have a child involved in the juvenile |
| 777 | justice system. |
| 778 | (4) Council members shall serve without compensation, but |
| 779 | they are entitled to reimbursement for per diem and travel |
| 780 | expenses as provided in s. 112.061. |
| 781 | (5) The provisions of s. 24, Art. I of the State |
| 782 | Constitution and of chapter 119 and s. 286.011 apply to |
| 783 | proceedings and records of the council. Minutes, including a |
| 784 | record of all votes cast, must be maintained for all meetings. |
| 785 | (6) If the council is abolished, its records must be |
| 786 | appropriately stored, within 30 days after the effective date of |
| 787 | its abolition, by the Department of Juvenile Justice or its |
| 788 | successor agency. Any property assigned to the council must be |
| 789 | reclaimed by the department or its successor agency. The council |
| 790 | may not perform any activities after the effective date of its |
| 791 | abolition. |
| 792 | Section 3. Sections 985.503, 985.504, 985.505, 985.506, |
| 793 | and 985.507, Florida Statutes, are repealed. |
| 794 | Section 4. Sections 985.502 and 985.5025, Florida |
| 795 | Statutes, shall stand repealed 2 years after the effective date |
| 796 | of this act unless reviewed and saved from repeal through |
| 797 | reenactment by the Legislature. |
| 798 | Section 5. This act shall take effect July 1, 2005, or |
| 799 | upon enactment of the compact into law by the 35th compacting |
| 800 | state, whichever date occurs later. |