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 mandates that, to the greatest extent practicable, the commission should reflect broad regional representation and ethnic diversity, with at least half of the public members being of Latino or Hispanic descent. This change aims to enhance the commission's effectiveness in promoting Latino and Hispanic cultural and educational programs in the state by ensuring a more diverse and knowledgeable membership. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:4-48