A child abuse prevention council may be established in any county or group of counties that was eligible to receive funds under Minnesota Statutes 1986, section 145.917 as of January 1, 1986. A council organized in such a county or group of counties shall be authorized by the commissioner to review programs seeking trust fund money on finding that the council meets the criteria in this section:

(a) The council has submitted a plan for the prevention of child abuse that includes a rank ordering of needed programs and services, assesses the need for additional programs or services, and demonstrates that standards and procedures have been established to ensure that funds will be distributed and used according to Laws 1986, chapter 423.

(b) A single-county council shall consist of:

(1) a minimum of nine members with the majority consisting of members from the community-at-large who do not represent service-providing agencies. These members shall represent the demographic and geographic composition of the county and, to the extent possible, represent the following groups: parents, businesses, racial and ethnic minority communities, and the faith communities; and

(2) if necessary, enough additional members with knowledge in the area of child abuse prevention so that a majority of the council is composed of members who do not represent public agencies.

(c) A multicounty council shall be composed of the combined membership of persons in paragraph (b).

History: 1986 c 423 s 5; 1991 c 199 art 2 s 22; 1991 c 292 art 8 s 25; 1997 c 162 art 2 s 6; 2005 c 98 art 1 s 24