Information Maintained by the Office of Code Revision Indiana Legislative Services Agency
IC 4-23-31
     Chapter 31. Commission on the Social Status of Black Males

IC 4-23-31-1
Reason for commission
     Sec. 1. The 1992 interim study committee created by the legislative council, on the problems of black males, found that the following conditions exist:
        (1) Statistical studies chronicling the status of black males in American society reveal startling and disturbing conditions and trends.
        (2) By all indicia measuring achievement, success, and quality of life in American society, black males are facing a prodigious struggle for survival while fighting formidable opponents.
        (3) Black males make up only five and one-half percent (5.5%) of the population of the United States but are the victims of forty-four percent (44%) of the nation's homicides annually and comprise forty-six percent (46%) of the nation's prison population.
        (4) Statistics show that one (1) of every twenty-two (22) black males will die as a result of homicide and that one (1) of every six (6) black males will be arrested before becoming nineteen (19) years of age.
        (5) A major proportion of black males in America is virtually trapped in urban areas defined by poverty, violence, and drug abuse.
        (6) Black males suffer from more debilitating health problems, a higher death rate, and a lower life expectancy than males in other ethnic and racial groups.
        (7) Black females at least sixteen (16) years of age outnumber black males by more than two million (2,000,000).
        (8) Between 1973 and 1988 the average real annual income for black males between twenty (20) and twenty-four (24) years of age fell by more than fifty percent (50%).
        (9) The increasing misfortunes and the social distress bombarding black males in American society threaten the survival of black males.
As added by P.L.133-2012, SEC.29.

IC 4-23-31-2
Establishment
     Sec. 2. The commission on the social status of black males is established.
As added by P.L.133-2012, SEC.29.

IC 4-23-31-3
Membership
     Sec. 3. The commission consists of nineteen (19) members appointed as follows:
        (1) Two (2) members of the senate, who are not members of the

same political party, appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate with the advice of the minority leader of the senate.
        (2) Two (2) members of the house of representatives, who are not members of the same political party, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives with the advice of the minority leader of the house of representatives.
        (3) The director of the division of family resources or the director's designee.
        (4) The director of the division of mental health and addiction or the director's designee.
        (5) The commissioner of the state department of health or the commissioner's designee.
        (6) The superintendent of public instruction or the superintendent's designee.
        (7) The commissioner of the department of correction or the commissioner's designee.
        (8) The director of the civil rights commission or the director's designee.
        (9) The commissioner of the Indiana department of administration or the commissioner's designee.
        (10) The lieutenant governor or the lieutenant governor's designee.
        (11) A minority business person, appointed by the governor.
        (12) Three (3) persons appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate who are not members of the general assembly. Not more than two (2) persons appointed under this subdivision may be members of the same political party.
        (13) Three (3) persons appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives who are not members of the general assembly. Not more than two (2) persons appointed under this subdivision may be members of the same political party.
As added by P.L.133-2012, SEC.29.

IC 4-23-31-4
Removal of members
     Sec. 4. (a) A member of the commission may be removed at any time by the member's appointing authority.
    (b) The appointing authority shall fill a vacancy on the commission by appointing a new member for the unexpired term.
    (c) The terms of the legislative members expire at the election of the general assembly following the appointments.
As added by P.L.133-2012, SEC.29.

IC 4-23-31-5
Chairperson and vice chairperson
     Sec. 5. (a) At the first meeting of the commission each year, the members shall elect:
        (1) one (1) member to be the commission's chairperson; and
        (2) one (1) member to be the commission's vice chairperson.
    (b) A vacancy in the office of chairperson or vice chairperson

shall be filled by vote of the remaining members. The term of office of a person chosen to fill a vacancy expires at the first meeting of the commission the following year.
As added by P.L.133-2012, SEC.29.

IC 4-23-31-6
Study
     Sec. 6. (a) The commission shall make a systematic study of the following:
        (1) The conditions described in section 1 of this chapter.
        (2) The reasons for the existence of those conditions.
    (b) The commission shall propose measures to alleviate and correct the underlying causes of the conditions described in section 1 of this chapter.
    (c) The commission may study other topics suggested by the legislative council or as directed by the chairperson of the commission.
    (d) The commission shall receive suggestions or comments pertinent to the issues that the commission studies from members of the general assembly, governmental agencies, public and private organizations, and private citizens.
As added by P.L.133-2012, SEC.29.

IC 4-23-31-7
Civil rights commission staff
     Sec. 7. The civil rights commission shall provide staff and administrative support to the commission.
As added by P.L.133-2012, SEC.29.

IC 4-23-31-8
Meetings
     Sec. 8. The commission shall meet on call of the chairperson and at other times that the commission determines.
As added by P.L.133-2012, SEC.29.

IC 4-23-31-9
Quorum
     Sec. 9. Eight (8) of the members of the commission is a quorum. The affirmative votes of at least eight (8) voting members of the commission are required for the commission to take final action.
As added by P.L.133-2012, SEC.29.

IC 4-23-31-10
Annual report
     Sec. 10. The commission shall issue an annual report stating the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the commission. The commission shall submit the report to the governor and the legislative council. A report submitted under this section to the legislative council must be in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6.
As added by P.L.133-2012, SEC.29.


IC 4-23-31-11
Per diem
     Sec. 11. (a) Each member of the commission who is not a state employee is entitled to the minimum salary per diem provided by IC 4-10-11-2.1(b). The member is also entitled to reimbursement for traveling expenses as provided under IC 4-13-1-4 and other expenses actually incurred in connection with the member's duties as provided in the state policies and procedures established by the Indiana department of administration and approved by the budget agency.
    (b) Each member of the commission who is a state employee is entitled to reimbursement for traveling expenses as provided under IC 4-13-1-4 and other expenses actually incurred in connection with the member's duties as provided in the state policies and procedures established by the Indiana department of administration and approved by the budget agency.
    (c) Each member of the commission who is a member of the general assembly is entitled to receive the same per diem, mileage, and travel allowances paid to members of the general assembly serving on interim study committees created by the legislative council.
As added by P.L.133-2012, SEC.29.

IC 4-23-31-12
Special fund
     Sec. 12. (a) The commission on the social status of black males special fund is established to provide money for special projects of the commission.
    (b) The fund shall be administered by the treasurer of state.
    (c) Expenses of administering the fund shall be paid from money in the fund.
    (d) The fund consists of gifts, contributions, and money donated to the commission.
    (e) The treasurer of state shall invest the money in the fund not currently needed to meet the obligations of the fund in the same manner as other public funds may be invested.
    (f) Interest accrues to the fund.
    (g) Money in the fund at the end of a state fiscal year does not revert to the state general fund.
    (h) Money in the fund is appropriated continuously for the purpose stated in subsection (a).
As added by P.L.133-2012, SEC.29.