(a)    In this section, “conditions of well–being” means the desired results identified by the Maryland Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families based upon identified needs and used to improve quality.

(b)    There is a Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families.

(c)    The Committee consists of the following 20 members:

(1)    from the Senate:

(i)    the majority leader;

(ii)    the minority leader; and

(iii)    two members from each of the four standing committees; and

(2)    from the House:

(i)    the majority leader;

(ii)    the minority leader; and

(iii)    eight other Delegates appointed by the Speaker from among the members of the House committees that deal with issues affecting children, youth, and families.

(d)    (1)    Members of the Committee shall be appointed on the basis of demonstrated ability and interest concerning issues affecting children, youth, and families.

(2)    In making appointments, the President and the Speaker shall provide for representation from:

(i)    the committees that deal with issues affecting children, youth, and families; and

(ii)    the major areas of the State.

(e)    (1)    (i)    A member appointed by the President serves at the pleasure of the President.

(ii)    A member appointed by the Speaker serves at the pleasure of the Speaker.

(2)    (i)    If a vacancy occurs among the Senators on the Committee, a successor promptly shall be appointed by the President.

(ii)    If a vacancy occurs among the Delegates on the Committee, a successor promptly shall be appointed by the Speaker.

(f)    (1)    From among the membership of the Committee, the President shall appoint a Senator to serve as the Senate chairman of the Committee and the Speaker shall appoint a Delegate to serve as the House chairman of the Committee.

(2)    The Senate chairman and the House chairman shall alternate annually as presiding chairman and cochairman of the Committee.

(g)    A majority of the full authorized membership of the Committee is a quorum.

(h)    The Department of Legislative Services, Office of Policy Analysis, shall provide staff assistance to the Committee.

(i)    The Committee shall hold:

(1)    an organizational meeting promptly after the appointment of its members; and

(2)    any other meetings that the Committee considers necessary to carry out its duties efficiently.

(j)    The Committee may:

(1)    hold a hearing on any matter relating to the functions of the Committee; and

(2)    consider a vote on a bill or resolution referred to it by the President or the Speaker.

(k)    In addition to any powers and duties set forth elsewhere, in an endeavor to achieve conditions of well–being for Maryland children, youth, and families, the Committee shall:

(1)    investigate the problems that jeopardize the well–being of Maryland children, youth, and families;

(2)    identify State policies and actions that, in conjunction with public and private partners and in support of families and communities, can work to achieve conditions of well–being for Maryland children, youth, and families;

(3)    review and make recommendations to align State statutes, regulations, programs, services, and budgetary priorities with the State policies and actions described in item (2) of this subsection;

(4)    search for any interdepartmental gaps, inconsistencies, and inefficiencies in the implementation or attainment of the State policies and actions described in item (2) of this subsection;

(5)    identify any new laws, regulations, programs, services, and budgetary priorities that are needed to ensure and promote desired conditions of well–being for Maryland children, youth, and families;

(6)    serve as an informational resource for the Senate and the House on legislative policy matters concerning children, youth, and families; and

(7)    perform other activities, including improving public awareness of the special needs of Maryland children, youth, and families.

(l)    (1)    Subject to § 2–1257 of this title, the Committee shall submit an annual report to the General Assembly on or before December 1 of each year.

(2)    The report shall include:

(i)    a description of the work of the Committee; and

(ii)    any recommendations of the Committee.