§ 12-12-921 - Sex Offender Assessment Committee.
12-12-921. Sex Offender Assessment Committee.
(a) The Sex Offender Assessment Committee shall consist of nine (9) members as follows:
(1) The Governor shall appoint, subject to confirmation by the Senate:
(A) One (1) member who is a criminal defense attorney;
(B) One (1) member who is a prosecuting attorney;
(C) One (1) member who is a licensed mental health professional and has demonstrated expertise in the treatment of sex offenders;
(D) One (1) member who is a victims' rights advocate;
(E) One (1) member who is a law enforcement officer; and
(F) One (1) member with expertise in juvenile justice or treatment;
(2) The Director of the Department of Correction or the director's designee;
(3) The Director of the Department of Community Correction or the director's designee; and
(4) The Director of the Arkansas Crime Information Center or the director's designee.
(b) (1) Members appointed by the Governor shall be for four-year staggered terms to be assigned by lot at the first meeting.
(2) If a vacancy of one (1) of the members appointed by the Governor occurs for any reason other than expiration of a regular term, the vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by appointment of the Governor.
(3) A member of the committee appointed by the Governor may be removed by the Governor for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office.
(4) A member shall be considered active unless his or her resignation has been submitted or requested by the Governor or he or she has more than two (2) unexcused absences from meetings in a twelve-month period and this fact has been reported to the Governor's office.
(c) The members of the committee shall elect annually a chair and a vice chair from their membership.
(d) The Director of the Department of Correction or the director's designee shall serve as the executive secretary.
(e) (1) A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
(2) The committee shall meet at least quarterly.
(3) A special meeting may be called by the chair or as provided by the rules adopted by the committee.
(f) The executive secretary of the committee shall keep full and true records of all committee proceedings and preserve all books, documents, and papers relating to the business of the committee.
(g) The meetings shall be open to the public except when the committee is discussing, deliberating, or voting on an individual case.
(h) (1) The committee shall report in writing to the Governor and to the Legislative Council by July 31 of each year.
(2) The report shall contain:
(A) A summary of the proceedings of the committee during the preceding fiscal year;
(B) A detailed and itemized statement of all revenue and of all expenditures made by or on behalf of the committee;
(C) Other information deemed necessary or useful; and
(D) Any additional information that may be requested by the Governor and the Legislative Council.