Duties; requirement of state and local agencies to collaborate with Council

1. The Council shall: (a) Collaborate with state and local agencies on their responses to homelessness and promote cooperation among federal, state and local agencies to address homelessness. (b) Develop a strategic plan for addressing homelessness in this State that includes, without limitation, recommendations for actions by state and local agencies and for legislation, and update that strategic plan at least once every 5 years. (c) Establish a technical assistance committee to provide advice and information to assist the Council in developing the strategic plan described in paragraph (b). The technical assistance committee may include, without limitation, representatives of federal, state and local agencies, providers of services, religious organizations, persons involved in the sale or lease of housing and members of the public. (d) Increase awareness of issues relating to homelessness among state and local agencies, organizations that provide services to persons who are homeless and the general public. (e) On or before January 1 of each year, submit to the Governor a report concerning the activities of the Council during the immediately preceding year. (f) On or before January 1 of each odd-numbered year, submit to the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for transmittal to the next regular session of the Legislature a report concerning the activities of the Council during the immediately preceding 2 years. 2. The Council may: (a) Collaborate with and request the assistance of providers of services or any person or entity with expertise in issues related to homelessness, including, without limitation, employees of federal, state and local agencies and advocacy groups for the homeless, to assist the Council in carrying out its duties; and (b) Apply for any available grants and accept any gifts, grants or donations, to assist the Council in carrying out its duties. 3. All state and local agencies shall collaborate with the Council in carrying out the duties prescribed in this section and provide the Council with any information requested by the Council to such extent as is consistent with their other lawful duties.