Quarterly meetings; additional meetings; quorum; designation of representative or proxy; application of public meetings law

Sec. 12. (a) A regional services council shall meet at least quarterly to do the following: (1) Develop, review, or revise a strategy for implementation of an approved plan that identifies: (A) the manner in which prevention and early intervention services will be provided or improved; (B) how local collaboration will improve children's services; and (C) how different funds can be used to serve children and families more effectively. (2) Reorganize as needed and select its vice chairperson for the ensuing year. (3) Review the implementation of the plan and prepare revisions, additions, or updates of the plan that the regional services council considers necessary or appropriate to improve the quality and efficiency of early intervention child welfare services provided in accordance with the plan. (b) The chairperson or vice chairperson of a regional services council may convene any additional meetings of the regional services council that are, in the chairperson's or vice chairperson's opinion, necessary or appropriate. (c) A majority of the voting members of the regional services council appointed under section 7 of this chapter constitutes a quorum for the transaction of official business that includes taking final action (as defined in IC 5-14-1.5-2(g)). The regional services council may hold a meeting in the absence of a quorum to discuss any items of public business related to its responsibilities and functions as described in this chapter, without taking final action. (d) A judicial officer or prosecuting attorney who is a member of the regional services council under section 7 of this chapter may designate in writing a person as the member's representative or proxy to attend any meeting of the council specified in the designation. Any designee under this subsection shall be a voting member of the council and be included for purposes of a quorum under subsection (c). (e) Any department employee who is a member of the regional services council under section 7 of this chapter may designate in writing a person as the member's representative or proxy to attend any meeting of the council specified in the designation. Any designee under this subsection shall be a voting member of the council and be included for purposes of a quorum under subsection (c). (f) All meetings of a regional services council under this chapter are subject to applicable provisions of IC 5-14-1.5.