(a) There is created a Specialty Court Program Advisory Committee.
(b) The Specialty Court Program Advisory Committee shall consist of the following members:
(1) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or the Chief Justice's designee who shall serve as Chair of the Specialty Court Program Advisory Committee;
(2) The Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts or the director's designee;
(3) Three (3) circuit court judges who preside over a specialty court program as defined under § 16-10-139(a) to be appointed by the Arkansas Judicial Council;
(4) One (1) district court judge who presides over a specialty court program as defined under § 16-10-139(a) to be appointed by the Arkansas District Judges Council;
(5) One (1) circuit court judge who presides over a juvenile drug court program to be appointed by the Arkansas Judicial Council;
(6) The Director of the Department of Community Correction or the director's designee;
(7) The Director of the Department of Human Services or the director's designee;
(8) The Director of the Division of Behavioral Health Services or the director's designee;
(9) A prosecutor appointed by the Prosecutor Coordinator;
(10) A public defender appointed by the Executive Director of the Arkansas Public Defender Commission;
(11) A member of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;
(12) A member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
(13) The Arkansas Drug Director or the director's designee.
(c) The chair or the chair's designee shall promptly call the first meeting within thirty (30) days after April 1, 2015.
(d) (1) The Specialty Court Program Advisory Committee shall conduct its meetings at the State Capitol Building or at any place designated by the chair or the chair's designee.
(2) Meetings shall be held at least one (1) time every three (3) months but may occur more often at the call of the chair.
(e) If any vacancy occurs on the Specialty Court Program Advisory Committee, the vacancy shall be filled by the same process as the original appointment.
(f) The Specialty Court Program Advisory Committee shall establish rules and procedures for conducting its business.
(g) Members of the Specialty Court Program Advisory Committee shall serve without compensation.
(h) A majority of the members of the Specialty Court Program Advisory Committee shall constitute a quorum for transacting any business of the Specialty Court Program Advisory Committee.
(i) The Specialty Court Program Advisory Committee is established to:
(1) Promote collaboration and provide recommendations on issues involving adult and juvenile specialty courts; and
(2) Design and complete the comprehensive evaluation of adult and juvenile specialty court programs as required by § 16-10-139.
Section:Last modified: November 15, 2016