Definition of State Rehabilitation Council

STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL AS DEFINED IN THE REHABILITATION ACT AS
REAUTHORIZED IN 1998

SEC. 105. STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT-
(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in section 101(a)(21)(A)(i), to be
eligible to receive financial assistance under this title a State shall
establish a State Rehabilitation Council (referred to in this section as
the `Council') in accordance with this section.
(2) SEPARATE AGENCY FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BLIND- A State that
designates a State agency to administer the part of the State plan under
which vocational rehabilitation services are provided for individuals who
are blind under section 101(a)(2)(A)(i) may establish a separate Council
in accordance with this section to perform the duties of such a Council
with respect to such State agency.
(b) COMPOSITION AND APPOINTMENT-
(1) COMPOSITION-
(A) IN GENERAL- Except in the case of a separate Council established under
subsection (a)(2), the Council shall be composed of--
(i) at least one representative of the Statewide Independent Living Council
established under section 705, which representative may be the chairperson
or other designee of the Council;
(ii) at least one representative of a parent training and information
center established pursuant to section 682(a) of the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (as added by section 101 of the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997; Public Law 105-17);
(iii) at least one representative of the client assistance program
established under section 112;
(iv) at least one qualified vocational rehabilitation counselor, with
knowledge of and experience with vocational rehabilitation programs, who
shall serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the Council if the
counselor is an employee of the designated State agency;
(v) at least one representative of community rehabilitation program service
providers;
(vi) four representatives of business, industry, and labor;
(vii) representatives of disability advocacy groups representing a cross
section of--
(I) individuals with physical, cognitive, sensory, and mental disabilities;
and
(II) individuals' representatives of individuals with disabilities who have
difficulty in representing themselves or are unable due to their
disabilities to represent themselves;
(viii) current or former applicants for, or recipients of, vocational
rehabilitation services;
(ix) in a State in which one or more projects are carried out under section
121, at least one representative of the directors of the projects;
(x) at least one representative of the State educational agency responsible
for the public education of students with disabilities who are eligible to
receive services under this title and part B of the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act; and
(xi) at least one representative of the State workforce investment board.
(B) SEPARATE COUNCIL- In the case of a separate Council established under
subsection (a)(2), the Council shall be composed of--
(i) at least one representative described in subparagraph (A)(i);
(ii) at least one representative described in subparagraph (A)(ii);
(iii) at least one representative described in subparagraph (A)(iii);
(iv) at least one vocational rehabilitation counselor described in
subparagraph (A)(iv), who shall serve as described in such subparagraph;
(v) at least one representative described in subparagraph (A)(v);
(vi) four representatives described in subparagraph (A)(vi);
(vii) at least one representative of a disability advocacy group
representing individuals who are blind;
(viii) at least one individual’s representative, of an individual who--
(I) is an individual who is blind and has multiple disabilities; and
(II) has difficulty in representing himself or herself or is unable due to
disabilities to represent himself or herself;
(ix) applicants or recipients described in subparagraph (A)(viii);
(x) in a State described in subparagraph (A)(ix), at least one
representative described in such subparagraph;
(xi) at least one representative described in subparagraph (A)(x); and
(xii) at least one representative described in subparagraph (A)(xi).
(C) EXCEPTION- In the case of a separate Council established under
subsection (a)(2), any Council that is required by State law, as in effect
on the date of enactment of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992,
to have fewer than 15 members shall be deemed to be in compliance with
subparagraph (B) if the Council--
(i) meets the requirements of subparagraph (B), other than the requirements
of clauses
(vi) and (ix) of such subparagraph; and
(ii) includes at least--
(I) one representative described in subparagraph (B)(vi); and
(II) one applicant or recipient described in subparagraph (B)(ix).
(2) EX OFFICIO MEMBER- The Director of the designated State unit shall be
an ex officio, nonvoting member of the Council.
(3) APPOINTMENT- Members of the Council shall be appointed by the Governor.
The Governor shall select members after soliciting recommendations from
representatives of organizations representing a broad range of individuals
with disabilities and organizations interested in individuals with
disabilities. In selecting members, the Governor shall consider, to the
greatest extent practicable, the extent to which minority populations are
represented on the Council.
(4) QUALIFICATIONS-
(A) IN GENERAL- A majority of Council members shall be persons who are--
(i) individuals with disabilities described in section 7(20)(A); and
(ii) not employed by the designated State unit.
(B) SEPARATE COUNCIL- In the case of a separate Council established under
subsection (a)(2), a majority of Council members shall be persons who are--
(i) blind; and
(ii) not employed by the designated State unit.
(5) CHAIRPERSON-
(A) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Council shall
select a chairperson from among the membership of the Council.
(B) DESIGNATION BY GOVERNOR- In States in which the chief executive officer
does not have veto power pursuant to State law, the Governor shall
designate a member of the Council to serve as the chairperson of the
Council or shall require the Council to so designate such a member.
(6) TERMS OF APPOINTMENT-
(A) LENGTH OF TERM- Each member of the Council shall serve for a term of
not more than 3 years, except that--
(i) a member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration
of the term for which a predecessor was appointed, shall be appointed for
the remainder of such term; and
(ii) the terms of service of the members initially appointed shall be (as
specified by the Governor) for such fewer number of years as will provide
for the expiration of terms on a staggered basis.
(B) NUMBER OF TERMS- No member of the Council, other than a representative
described in clause (iii) or (ix) of paragraph (1)(A), or clause (iii) or
(x) of paragraph (1)(B), may serve more than two consecutive full terms.
(7) VACANCIES-
(A) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in subparagraph (B), any vacancy
occurring in the membership of the Council shall be filled in the same
manner as the original appointment. The vacancy shall not affect the power
of the remaining members to execute the duties of the Council.
(B) DELEGATION- The Governor may delegate the authority to fill such a
vacancy to the remaining members of the Council after making the original
appointment.
(c) FUNCTIONS OF COUNCIL- The Council shall, after consulting with the
State workforce investment board--
(1) review, analyze, and advise the designated State unit regarding the
performance of the responsibilities of the unit under this title,
particularly responsibilities relating to--
(A) eligibility (including order of selection);
(B) the extent, scope, and effectiveness of services provided; and
(C) functions performed by State agencies that affect or that potentially
affect the ability of individuals with disabilities in achieving employment
outcomes under this title;
(2) in partnership with the designated State unit--
(A) develop, agree to,  and review State goals and priorities in accordance
with section 101(a)(15)(C); and
(B) evaluate the effectiveness of the vocational rehabilitation program and
submit reports of progress to the Commissioner in accordance with section
101(a)(15)(E);
(3) advise the designated State agency and the designated State unit
regarding activities authorized to be carried out under this title, and
assist in the preparation of the State plan and amendments to the plan,
applications, reports, needs assessments, and evaluations required by this
title;
(4) to the extent feasible, conduct a review and analysis of the
effectiveness of, and consumer satisfaction with--
(A) the functions performed by the designated State agency;
(B) vocational rehabilitation services provided by State agencies and other
public and private entities responsible for providing vocational
rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities under this Act;
and
(C) employment outcomes achieved by eligible individuals receiving services
under this title, including the availability of health and other employment
benefits in connection with such employment outcomes;
(5) prepare and submit an annual report to the Governor and the
Commissioner on the status of vocational rehabilitation programs operated
within the State, and make the report available to the public;
(6) to avoid duplication of efforts and enhance the number of individuals
served, coordinate activities with the activities of other councils within
the State, including the Statewide Independent Living Council established
under section 705, the advisory panel established under section 612(a)(21)
of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (as amended by section
101 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997;
Public Law 105-17), the State Developmental Disabilities Council described
in section 124 of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of
Rights Act (42 U.S.C. 6024), the State mental health planning council
established under section 1914(a) of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 300x-4(a)), and the State workforce investment board;
(7) provide for coordination and the establishment of working relationships
between the designated State agency and the Statewide Independent Living
Council and centers for independent living within the State; and
(8) perform such other functions, consistent with the purpose of this
title, as the State Rehabilitation Council determines to be appropriate,
that are comparable to the other functions performed by the Council.
(d) RESOURCES-
(1) PLAN- The Council shall prepare, in conjunction with the designated
State unit, a plan for the provision of such resources, including such
staff and other personnel, as may be necessary and sufficient to carry
out the functions of the Council under this section. The resource plan
shall, to the maximum extent possible, rely on the use of resources in
existence during the period of implementation of the plan.
(2) RESOLUTION OF DISAGREEMENTS- To the extent that there is a disagreement
between the Council and the designated State unit in regard to the
resources necessary to carry out the functions of the Council as set forth
in this section, the disagreement shall be resolved by the Governor
consistent with paragraph (1).
(3) SUPERVISION AND EVALUATION- Each Council shall, consistent with State
law, supervise and evaluate such staff and other personnel as may be
necessary to carry out its functions under this section.
(4) PERSONNEL CONFLICT OF INTEREST- While assisting the Council in carrying
out its duties, staff and other personnel shall not be assigned duties by
the designated State unit or any other agency or office of the State, that
would create a conflict of interest.
(e) CONFLICT OF INTEREST- No member of the Council shall cast a vote on
any matter that would provide direct financial benefit to the member or
otherwise give the appearance of a conflict of interest under State law.
(f) MEETINGS- The Council shall convene at least four meetings a year in
such places as it determines to be necessary to conduct Council business
and conduct such forums or hearings as the Council considers appropriate.
The meetings, hearings, and forums shall be publicly announced. The
meetings shall be open and accessible to the general public unless there
is a valid reason for an executive session.
(g) COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES- The Council may use funds allocated to the
Council by the designated State unit under this title (except for funds
appropriated to carry out the client assistance program under section 112
and funds reserved pursuant to section 110(c) to carry out part C) to
reimburse members of the Council for reasonable and necessary expenses of
attending Council meetings and performing Council duties (including child
care and personal assistance services), and to pay compensation to a member
of the Council, if such member is not employed or must forfeit wages from
other employment, for each day the member is engaged in performing the
duties of the Council.
(h) HEARINGS AND FORUMS- The Council is authorized to hold such hearings
and forums as the Council may determine to be necessary to carry out the
duties of the Council.