30	By:	Crain of the Senate

			and

		Peters of the House

AS INTRODUCED

A Concurrent Resolution creating a task force to study the Department of Human Services; providing for purpose, composition, appointments, staff support and report of task force.

WHEREAS, a performance audit was conducted upon the Department of Human Services; and
WHEREAS, the performance audit was released in February 2009 and contains 25 recommendations for improvement; and
WHEREAS, it is incumbent upon the Legislature to pursue all possible means of reform to improve the performance of the Department.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 52ND OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN:
SECTION 1.  A.  A task force to study the Department of Human Services is hereby created until December 31, 2009.
B.  The task force shall:
1.  Evaluate recommendations from the Department of Human Services performance audit that are not in the process of being implemented; and
2.  Evaluate the feasibility of using nonprofit organizations in the provision of child welfare services.
C.  The task force shall be composed of seven (7) members as follows:
1.  Three members appointed by President Pro Tempore as follows:
a.	one member of the Senate,
b.	one nonprofit provider of child welfare services, and
c.	one representative of a child advocacy organization in the state;
2.  Three members appointed by the Speaker as follows:
a.	one member of the House of Representatives,
b.	one nonprofit provider of child welfare services, and
c.	one representative of a child advocacy organization in the state; and
3.  The Director of the Department of Human Services, or designee.
D.  The members of the task force shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.
E.  The members from the Senate and the House of Representatives shall serve as cochairs of the task force.
F.  A quorum of the task force shall be required in order for any final action of the task force.
G.  Appointments for the task force shall be made by July 31, 2009, and the task force shall convene no later than August 15, 2009.
H.  Members of the Task Force shall receive no compensation for their service, but shall receive travel reimbursement as follows:
1.  Legislative members of the Task Force shall be reimbursed for necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with the provisions of Section 456 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes; and
2.  Nonlegislative members of the Task Force shall be reimbursed for necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with the State Travel Reimbursement Act.
I.  Staff support for the task force shall be provided by the Department of Human Services.
J.  The task force shall report its findings, including any legislative recommendations, to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Governor by December 31, 2009.

52-1-1874	JM	5/11/2009 9:55:20 AM