b. The advisory council shall be under the immediate oversight of the Director of Youth and Collegiate Affairs, who shall be qualified to direct the work of the council. The director shall be appointed by, and shall serve at the pleasure of, the Governor.

c. The purpose of the advisory council shall be to:

(1) act as the advisory body on youth and collegiate affairs to the Legislature and State departments, agencies, commissions, authorities, and private agencies that provide services to, or are charged with the care of, children and young adults; and

(2) review, monitor, report, and make recommendations on issues relating to school-aged children and students attending a public or independent institution of higher education in the State.

d. The advisory council shall consist of 17 members as follows:

(1) eight public members to be appointed by the Governor, who shall include: a representative of Advocates for Children of New Jersey; a representative of the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development; a representative of New Jersey PTA; a school teacher certified by the State Board of Examiners; a school guidance counselor; and three persons who are a parent of a student attending a middle school, or a high school, or a public or independent institution of higher education in this State, respectively; and

(2) nine public members to be selected by the director of the advisory council pursuant to section 2 of this act. The director shall select three public members from each of the northern, central, and southern regions of the State.

e. Vacancies in the membership of the advisory council shall be filled in the same manner provided for the original appointments. The public members of the council shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for traveling and other miscellaneous expenses necessary to perform their duties within the limits of funds made available to the council for its purposes.

f. The advisory council shall organize as soon as practicable but no later than 60 days following the appointment of its members and shall select a chairperson and vice-chairperson from among the members. The chairperson shall appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the council.

g. The advisory council may meet at the call of its chair and hold hearings at the times and in the places it deems appropriate and necessary to fulfill its charge. The council shall be entitled to call to its assistance, and avail itself of the services of the employees of, any State, county, or municipal department, board, bureau, commission, or agency as it may require and as may be available to it for its purposes.

h. The advisory council may seek the advice of experts, such as persons specializing in the field of education, human services, economic development, or workforce development, or other related fields, as deemed appropriate by the membership of the council.

i. The Department of Education shall provide staff services to the council.

L.2013, c.175, s.1.