5-7A-05.

(A) THE COUNCIL SHALL OPERATE WITH THREE STANDING COMMITTEES.

(B) THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANNING
AND IMPLEMENTING THE COUNCIL'S ANNUAL STATEWIDE CONFERENCE ON CHILD
ABUSE AND NEGLECT. IT SHALL INCLUDE REPRESENTATION FROM THE PUBLIC AND
PRIVATE SECTORS.

(C) THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REVIEWING
AND MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE THE
STATE'S RESPONSE TO THE PROBLEM OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

(D) THE FEDERAL CHILDREN'S JUSTICE ACT COMMITTEE IS ESTABLISHED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FEDERAL CHILDREN'S JUSTICE
ACT, PUBLIC LAW 100-294. IT SHALL REVIEW AND EVALUATE STATE INVESTIGATIVE,
ADMINISTRATIVE, AND JUDICIAL HANDLING OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT CASES,
AND MAKE POLICY AND TRAINING RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE SYSTEM
RESPONSE AND INTERVENTION. THE COMMITTEE SHALL INCLUDE
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE JUDICIARY WITH CRIMINAL AND CIVIL TRIAL
COURT DOCKET EXPERIENCE, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, THE MARYLAND
PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, STATE'S ATTORNEYS, THE COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL
ADVOCATE (CASA) PROGRAM, HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONS, CHILD
PROTECTIVE SERVICES PROGRAMS, PROGRAMS THAT SERVE CHILDREN WITH
DISABILITIES, PARENT GROUPS, AND ATTORNEYS WHO REPRESENT CHILDREN.

(E) IN ADDITION TO THE THREE STANDING COMMITTEES, THE COUNCIL MAY
ESTABLISH OTHER AD HOC COMMITTEES AS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE WORK
OF THE COUNCIL.

5-7A-06.

(A) IN ADDITION TO ANY DUTIES SET FORTH ELSEWHERE, THE COUNCIL
SHALL, BY EXAMINING THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF STATE AND LOCAL.
AGENCIES AND SPECIFIC CASES THAT THE COUNCIL CONSIDERS NECESSARY TO
PERFORM ITS DUTIES UNDER THIS SECTION, EVALUATE THE EXTENT TO WHICH
STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES ARE EFFECTIVELY DISCHARGING THEIR CHILD
PROTECTION RESPONSIBILITIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH:

(1) THE STATE PLAN UNDER 42 U.S.C. § 5106A(B),

(2) THE CHILD PROTECTION STANDARDS SET FORTH IN 42 U.S.C. §
5106A(B); AND

(3) ANY OTHER CRITERIA THAT THE COUNCIL CONSIDERS IMPORTANT
TO ENSURE THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN, INCLUDING:

(I) A REVIEW OF THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE STATE CHILD
PROTECTIVE SERVICES SYSTEM IS COORDINATED WITH THE FOSTER CARE AND
ADOPTION PROGRAM ESTABLISHED UNDER PART E OF TITLE IV OF THE SOCIAL
SECURITY ACT; AND