Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT
District 31 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Directs Secretary of Higher Education to establish Legislative Youth Council and select institution of higher education in this State as host; makes changes to councils structure to provide flexibility in activities and operations.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the New Jersey Legislative Youth Council, amending P.L.2021, c.398, and repealing sections 6 through 9 of P.L.2021, c.398.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 2 of P.L.2021, c.398 (C.52:13GG-2) is amended to read as follows:
2. The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. Engagement and participation by our youth in civic life are essential to maintaining the strength of our democracy, but the youth of the United States may not believe that they have a substantive voice in their government or the opportunities to share their perspectives and opinions at the highest levels of our government.
b. The unique perspectives and valuable insights of the youth of this country are essential to ensuring that investments made by the government for programs and services for those youth are effective and efficient.
c. Many state legislatures and governors have created youth councils that have proven to be an effective means of understanding the perspectives and opinions of the youth of the state, leading to more effective and efficient policies, programs, and services for those youth.
d. This State historically has sought to involve youth at the highest levels of government, including through a 1995 Youth Advisory Council to the Governor, established by Executive Order No. 34 (Whitman).
e. The creation of a new youth council in this State that can advise both the New Jersey Legislature and State policymakers in the Executive Branch will further develop an underutilized source of leadership in communities throughout this State and will be beneficial for the State and its resident youth.
(cf: P.L.2021, c.398, s.2)
2. Section 3 of P.L.2021, c.398 (C.52:13GG-3) is amended to read as follows:
3. [There is established] a. The Secretary of Higher Education shall establish a New Jersey Legislative Youth Council for the purpose of providing a forum for the youth of this State to gain access to and knowledge of policymaking, and to participate in the democratic process [; to advise the Legislature and its committees, commissions, and task forces on the perspectives, opinions, needs, development, and welfare of the youth of the State; and to advise the Legislature and its committees, commissions and task forces on the most effective and efficient policies, programs, and services that the State could provide for the youth of this State. The council shall research, analyze, discuss, and make specific recommendations in the areas of civics education; drugs and substance abuse; emotional and physical health; employment and economic opportunities; environmental protection; gun violence and school safety; homelessness and poverty; mental health; safe environment for youth; sexual harassment and violence; youth services; and youth bias and hate crimes.
In each two-year term of the New Jersey Legislature, the council shall submit, in writing, a series of policy recommendations to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the General Assembly, the Minority Leader of the Senate, and the Minority Leader of the General Assembly. The series of policy recommendations shall be made available online to the public.
The council may express its position publicly on legislation pending before the New Jersey Legislature that is directly relevant to the youth of this State].
b. The Secretary of Higher Education shall identify an institution of higher education located in the State to host, develop, supervise, and provide administrative support to the council.
The institution of higher education shall appoint a coordinator who shall oversee the council, in consultation with the Secretary, when appropriate. The coordinator shall receive an annual stipend in an amount to be determined by the Secretary.
The coordinator may select and invite qualified persons who are considered subject matter experts to impart their knowledge, provide guidance, and assist the council members in researching and analyzing issues that the members determine to be of significance for the youth in this State. The coordinator may also work with State policymakers to arrange for meetings, observation opportunities, and presentations that will allow for members to experience first-hand the policymaking process and to provide input directly to policymakers. The coordinator shall report biennially to the Secretary of Higher Education and to the Legislature, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), on the activities of the council.
c. The Legislature shall appropriate sufficient funds in each fiscal year for the administration of the council. Such appropriations may be used for the stipends provided for in this act.
(cf: P.L.2021, c.398, s.3)
3. Section 4 of P.L.2021, c.398 (C.52:13GG-4) is amended to read as follows:
4. a. The council shall be comprised of [44 members. Forty members shall be members of the public and four members shall be members of the New Jersey Legislature] 40 members selected pursuant to section 5 of P.L.2021, c.398 (C.52:13GG-5).
b. Each of the 40 [public] members shall have been a resident of New Jersey for at least [15] 10 years and shall be between [15] 18 and [23] 25 years of age at the time of appointment.
Each [public] member shall represent one of the 40 districts of the New Jersey Legislature.
The 40 [public] members shall be inclusive and reflective of the racial, gender, geographic, urban, rural, and economic diversity of their district.
[A public member who is less than 18 years of age shall be required to provide written permission from a parent or legal guardian to be a member of the council and participate in its activities. Any public member who is less than 18 years of age shall be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or an adult designated in writing by the parent or legal guardian, at all times when attending meetings and other activities of the council.]
No [public] member shall be a family member, or an employee, of a person who is holding, or who held in the five years prior to the public member's appointment, any appointive or elective public office of this State.
[Public members shall serve for a term of two years, and if eligible, may be reappointed to serve for one additional term.
c. The President of the Senate shall appoint one member of the Senate to serve on the council. The Speaker of the General Assemb