§321-353  Hawaii early interventioncoordinating council; establishment.  (a)  There is established within thedepartment for administrative purposes the Hawaii early interventioncoordinating council.  Members shall be appointed for three-year terms by thegovernor without the necessity of the advice and consent of the senate.  Themembership of the council shall consist of fifteen members selected from thefollowing:

(1)  At least three parents of infants, toddlers, orchildren under the age of seven with special needs;

(2)  At least three public or private providers ofearly intervention services;

(3)  At least one representative from the legislature;

(4)  At least one person involved in personnelpreparation;

(5)  At least one member representing the departmentof education;

(6)  At least one member representing the departmentof human services;

(7)  At least one member representing the office ofthe governor; and

(8)  Other members representing private or publicagencies involved in or interested in the payment for or provision of servicesto infants and toddlers with special needs and their families.

Any vacancy on the council shall be filled inthe same manner in which the original position was filled.

(b)  The council shall elect its officers, andeight members shall constitute a quorum.  Members shall serve withoutcompensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses,necessary for the performance of their duties.

(c)  The council shall meet at least quarterlyand in such places as it deems necessary.  The meetings shall be publiclyannounced, and be open and accessible to the general public.

(d)  The council shall perform the followingfunctions:

(1)  Advise and assist the director in theidentification of the sources of fiscal and other support for services forearly intervention programs, assignment of financial responsibility to theappropriate agency, and the promotion of the interagency agreements;

(2)  Advise and assist the department in thepreparation of applications and amendments thereto; and

(3)  Prepare and submit an annual report to thegovernor on the status of early intervention programs for infants and toddlerswith special needs and their families within the State. [L 1989, c 107, pt of§2; am L 1996, c 298, §3]