membership; appointment; terms; duties; meetings; report.

A. By October 1, 2019, the secretary shall appoint a “fostering connections advisory committee” to make recommendations to the department and to the legislature regarding the fostering connections program. The committee shall meet on a biannual basis to advise the department and the legislature regarding ongoing implementation of the fostering connections program. By September 1, 2020 and each September 1 thereafter, the committee shall provide a written report to the governor, the legislature and the secretary regarding ongoing implementation of the fostering connections program, including the number of participants and the number of early discharges.

B. By October 1, 2020, the committee shall develop a proposal for qualitative and quantitative longitudinal data to be collected to drive ongoing program design and implementation. Each October 1 thereafter, the committee shall develop specific recommendations for improving the fostering connections program and outcomes for the eligible adults it serves and expanding the fostering connections program or improving outcomes for similar groups of at-risk young adults.

C. The members of the committee shall include: (1)     the following seven voting members:

(a) the secretary, ex officio, or the secretary’s designee;

(b) three members who are appointed by the secretary as follows: 1) two youth or young adults who are currently or were previously placed in foster care; and 2) one representative of a child advocacy group; and

(c) three members who are appointed by the secretary as follows: 1) one representative of a child welfare advocacy organization; 2) one representative of the department; and 3) one representative of an agency providing independent living services; and

(2)     the following nonvoting members:

(a) a legislator, appointed by the New Mexico legislative council;

(b) a children’s court judge, appointed by the administrative office of the courts; and

(c) a subject-matter expert, appointed by the secretary.

D. Members of the committee shall be appointed for terms of two years; provided that the initial committee members’ terms shall be staggered so that no more than five members’ terms shall expire in any one year.

E. The secretary shall convene a first meeting of the committee by December 1, 2019. At that first meeting, the members of the committee shall choose a chair, and members’ terms shall be chosen by lot.

F. The secretary shall fill vacancies on the committee as they occur.

G. A majority of the committee members constitutes a quorum for voting purposes. H. Members of the committee shall receive per diem and mileage pursuant to the Per Diem and Mileage Act N.M. Stat. Ann. § 10-8-1 to 10-8-8 and shall receive no other compensation, perquisite or allowance for their service on the committee.

I. As used in this section:

(1)     “committee” means the fostering connections advisory committee; and

(2)     “secretary” means the secretary of children, youth and families.