CHAPTER 25. INDIANA COMMISSION FOR WOMEN

IC 4-23-25
     Chapter 25. Indiana Commission for Women

IC 4-23-25-1
"Agency" defined
    
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "agency" refers to any agency of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of state government. The term includes a state educational institution.
As added by P.L.20-1996, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.2-2007, SEC.57.

IC 4-23-25-2
"Commission" defined
    
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "commission" refers to the Indiana commission for women established by section 3 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.20-1996, SEC.1.

IC 4-23-25-3
Establishment; membership
    
Sec. 3. (a) The Indiana commission for women is established.
    (b) The commission consists of the following members:
        (1) Six (6) members appointed by the governor. Not more than three (3) of the members appointed under this subdivision may be members of the same political party. At least four (4) of the members appointed under this subdivision must be women.
        (2) Two (2) members appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate who are not members of the general assembly. Members appointed under this subdivision may not be members of the same political party. At least one (1) of the members appointed under this subdivision must be a woman.
        (3) Two (2) members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives who are not members of the general assembly. Members appointed under this subdivision may not be members of the same political party. At least one (1) of the members appointed under this subdivision must be a woman.
        (4) Two (2) senators appointed in the same manner as members of senate standing committees are appointed. The appointed senators may not be members of the same political party. At least one (1) of the members appointed under this subdivision must be a woman.
        (5) Two (2) members of the house of representatives appointed in the same manner as members of standing committees of the house of representatives are appointed. The appointed representatives may not be members of the same political party. At least one (1) of the members appointed under this subdivision must be a woman.
        (6) The governor or the governor's designee serves as an ex officio member of the commission.
    (c) A member appointed to the commission under subsection (b)(1) serves a term of four (4) years or until a successor is appointed.     (d) A member appointed to the commission under subsection (b)(2) or (b)(3) serves a term of three (3) years or until a successor is appointed.
    (e) A member appointed to the commission under subsection (b)(4) or (b)(5) serves the remainder of the member's term in office.
    (f) The governor or the governor's designee serves while the governor remains in office.
    (g) Notwithstanding subsections (c) through (d), if a member's term expires before a successor is appointed, the member's term is extended until a successor is appointed.
    (h) Not more than four (4) members who are not members of the general assembly may be employees of state agencies.
    (i) Commission membership must reflect a diversity of experience, skills, and backgrounds.
    (j) A member's term may be renewed unless the member is:
        (1) a member of the general assembly who no longer serves in the general assembly; or
        (2) the governor or the governor's designee, and the governor is no longer in office.
    (k) A member of the commission may be removed for cause.
As added by P.L.20-1996, SEC.1.

IC 4-23-25-4
Vacancies
    
Sec. 4. (a) If there is a vacancy on the commission, a new member must be appointed to fill the remainder of the unexpired term. The new member shall be appointed in the same manner as the vacating member.
    (b) A member of the general assembly who is appointed to an unexpired term may not serve longer than the member's term in office.
As added by P.L.20-1996, SEC.1.

IC 4-23-25-5
Chairperson
    
Sec. 5. (a) The governor shall annually select one (1) member to serve as chairperson.
    (b) The commission may select other officers for the commission.
As added by P.L.20-1996, SEC.1.

IC 4-23-25-6

Meetings; quorum
    
Sec. 6. (a) The commission shall meet at least one (1) time quarterly.
    (b) The commission shall meet at the call of the chairperson.
    (c) Eight (8) members of the commission constitute a quorum.
As added by P.L.20-1996, SEC.1.

IC 4-23-25-7
Duties of commission      Sec. 7. The commission's duties include the following:
        (1) Assessment of the needs of Indiana women and their families and promotion of the full participation of Indiana women in all aspects of society, including:
            (A) government;
            (B) the economy;
            (C) employment;
            (D) education;
            (E) social and family development;
            (F) health care;
            (G) the justice system; and
            (H) other aspects of society identified by the commission.
        (2) Advocacy for the removal of legal and social barriers for women.
        (3) Cooperation with organizations and governmental agencies to combat discrimination against women.
        (4) Identification and recognition of contributions made by Indiana women to their community, state, and nation.
        (5) Representation of Indiana's commitment to improving the quality of life for women and their families.
        (6) Consultation with state agencies regarding the effect upon women and their families of agency policies, emerging policies, procedures, practices, laws, and administrative rules.
        (7) Maintenance of information concerning:
            (A) organizations and governmental agencies serving women and their families; and
            (B) the names, resumes, and other professional and career information about women available to serve as agency appointees.
        (8) Evaluation of laws and governmental policies with respect to the needs of women and their families.
        (9) Monitoring of legislation and other legal developments in order to make recommendations that support the commission's purposes to the general assembly and the governor.
        (10) Action as a central clearinghouse for information concerning women and their families.
        (11) Gathering, studying, and disseminating information on women and their families through publications, public hearings, conferences, and other means.
        (12) Assessment of the needs of women and their families and the promotion of, development of, and assistance to other entities in providing programs and services to meet those needs.
        (13) Provision of publicity concerning the purposes and activities of the commission.
        (14) Service as a liaison between government and private interest groups concerned with serving the special needs of women.
        (15) Submission of an annual report on the commission's activities to the governor and to the legislative council. An annual report submitted to the legislative council must be in an

electronic format under IC 5-14-6.
As added by P.L.20-1996, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.28-2004, SEC.48.

IC 4-23-25-8
Powers of commission
    
Sec. 8. The commission may do the following:
        (1) Appoint advisers or advisory committees.
        (2) Transact business and enter into contracts that support the commission's purposes.
        (3) Apply for, receive, and disburse gifts, contributions, and grants of funds or in-kind services.
        (4) Adopt rules concerning the commission's operations and procedures.
        (5) Adopt, rescind, and amend bylaws to regulate the conduct of the commission's business.
        (6) Assign duties to the commission's officers under the commission's bylaws.
As added by P.L.20-1996, SEC.1.

IC 4-23-25-9
Administrative support
    
Sec. 9. The department of workforce development established by IC 22-4.1-2 shall provide staff and administrative support to the commission.
As added by P.L.20-1996, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.291-2001, SEC.167; P.L.126-2006, SEC.1; P.L.104-2008, SEC.1.

IC 4-23-25-10
Special fund
    
Sec. 10. (a) The Indiana commission for women special fund is established for the purpose of providing money for special projects of the commission. The fund shall be administered by the treasurer of state.
    (b) Expenses of administering the fund shall be paid from money in the fund. The fund consists of gifts, contributions, and funds donated to the commission.
    (c) 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. Interest accrues to the fund.
    (d) Money in the fund at the end of a state fiscal year does not revert to the state general fund.
As added by P.L.20-1996, SEC.1.

IC 4-23-25-11
Repealed
    
(Repealed by P.L.104-2008, SEC.23.)