There is created the Court Appointed Special Advocates Commission to make awards through the grant program and to perform related functions as provided in §§ 23-3-52, 23-3-53, and 16-2-50 to 16-2-54, inclusive. The commission is administered and staffed by the Unified Judicial System and consists of five residents of the state, appointed to three–year terms. The commission shall include one member appointed by the Governor with experience in the duties of investigation of child abuse and neglect, one member appointed by the Governor who is a current or former South Dakota legislator, one member appointed by the Governor who has experience in issues of child abuse and neglect in a tribal setting, one member appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court who has a background in judiciary or legal services with experience and knowledge in abuse and neglect court proceedings, and one member appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court who has experience with providing treatment services to children who are victims of abuse and neglect. The commission shall meet as necessary to carry out its functions. Each member of the commission shall be paid mileage at the same rate as allowed for state employees and shall receive per diem compensation and allowable expense reimbursement in an amount set pursuant to § 4-7-10.4 for time spent attending commission meetings. However, no per diem may be paid to any commission member who is a state employee.

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Source: SL 2003, ch 120, § 6.