Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 106 Part 4.djvu/671

 PUBLIC LAW 102-521—OCT. 25, 1992 106 STAT. 3407 (E) 2 shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives. (2) QUALIFICATIONS. —Members of the Commission shall be— (A) persons who have expertise in family law, children's issues, mental health, and related policies; (B) persons who have expertise, through research and practice, in laws and policies related to child and family welfare; (C) persons who represent organizations that seek to protect the civil rights of children; (D) persons who represent advocacy groups that work for the interests of children; (E) persons who represent advocacy groups that work for the interests of both custodial and noncustodial parents; and (F) persons who have conducted extensive research on, or delivered services to, children adversely affected by divorce. (3) DATE. —The appointments of the members of the Commission shall be made no later than June 1, 1993. (c) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT; VACANCIES.— Members shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. Any vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. (d) INITIAL MEETING. — NO later than 30 days after the date on which all members of the Commission have been appointed, the Commission shall hold its first meeting. (e) MEETINGS.— The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chairman. (f) QUORUM.— ^A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold hearings. (g) CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN.— The Commission shall select a Chairman and Vice Chairman from among its members. (h) DUTIES. —The Commission shall— (1) compile information and data on the issues that affect the best interests of children, including domestic issues such as abuse, family relations, services and agencies for children and families, family courts and juvenile courts; (2) compile a report that lists the strengths and weaknesses Reports, of the child welfare system as it relates to placement (including child custody and visitation), summarizes State laws and regulations relating to visitation, and makes recommendations for changing the system or developing a Federal role in strengthening the system; (3) study the strengths and weaknesses of the juvenile and family courts as they relate to visitation, custody, and child support enforcement and suggest any recommendations for changing these systems; and (4) study domestic issues that relate to the treatment and placement of children (such as child and spousal abuse) and suggest recommendations for any needed changes, including models for mediation and other programs. (i) REPORT. —Not later than January 1, 1994, the Commission shall submit to the President and the Congress an interim report, and not later than January 1, 1995, a final report, which shall

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