authorized membership of the Committee is a quorum; providing staff for the
Committee; requiring the Committee to hold certain meetings; authorizing the
Committee to hold certain hearings and consider certain votes on certain bills or
resolutions; establishing the powers and duties of the Committee; requiring the
Committee to submit a certain report by a certain date each year; defining a
certain term; providing for the termination of this Act; and generally relating to
the Joint Committee on Children and Youth, Youth, and Families.

BY adding to

Article - State Government
Section 2-10A-06
Annotated Code of Maryland

(1995 Replacement Volume and 1998 Supplement)

Preamble

WHEREAS, The Maryland Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families has
identified the following key conditions of well-being for Maryland children and youth,
youth, and families: babies born healthy, healthy children, children entering school
ready to learn, children successful in school, children completing school, children safe
in their families and communities, stable and economically independent families, and
communities that support family life; and

WHEREAS, Maryland's overall ranking on key indicators for children and
youth, youth, and families by the Maryland Kids Count Partnership continues to be
very low relative to other states; and

WHEREAS, Many factors affecting the conditions of well-being for Maryland
children and youth, youth, and families involve the work of many different existing
committees of the Senate and the House; and

WHEREAS, A Joint Committee on Children and Youth, Youth, and Families will
provide an integrated focus on factors affecting the health, education, safety, and
economic well-being of Maryland children and youth, youth, and families; and

WHEREAS, A Joint Committee on Children and Youth, Youth, and Families can
facilitate the work of existing committees of the Senate and the House; and

WHEREAS, A Joint Committee on Children and Youth, Youth, and Families can
help the General Assembly provide a result-oriented focus on the well-being of
Maryland children and youth, youth, and families; and

WHEREAS, A Joint Committee on Children and Youth, Youth, and Families can
recommend changes in law and budgeting that can improve key indicators for
Maryland children and youth, youth, and families; now, therefore,

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: