This bill amends the membership requirements for the Commission on Latino and Hispanic Heritage in New Jersey. It maintains the commission's structure of 21 members, including the Commissioner of Education and the chair of the executive board of the Presidents' Council, while revising the qualifications for the 19 public members. The bill removes the previous requirement that certain appointees hold a Master's degree in Latino or Hispanic studies or culture, as well as the stipulation that public members must have served as leaders or spokespersons in the Latino or Hispanic heritage community. Instead, it emphasizes that public members should possess knowledge and experience in Latino or Hispanic studies or education.

Additionally, the bill aims to ensure that the commission reflects broad regional representation and ethnic diversity, mandating that at least half of the public members be of Latino or Hispanic descent. The terms of service for public members remain unchanged, with each serving a three-year term, and the commission will continue to operate without compensation for its members, who are entitled to reimbursement for necessary expenses. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:4-48