The full Act may be found in Title IV of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.
(a) Establishment.-
(1) In General. - Except as provided in section 101(a)(21)(A)(i), to be eligible to receive financial assistance under this title a State shall establish a State Rehabilitation Council (referred to in this section as the Council) in accordance with this section.
(2) Separate Agency for Individuals Who are Blind.- A State that designates a State agency to administer the part of the State plan under which vocational rehabilitation services are provided for individuals who are blind under section 101(a)(1)(A)(i) may establish a separate Council in accordance with this section to perform the duties of such a Council with respect to such State agency.
(b) Composition and Appointment -
(1) Composition.-
(A)In General - Except in the case of a separate Council established under subsection(a)(2), the Council shall be composed of--(i) at least one representative of the Statewide Independent Living Council established under section 705, which representative may be the chairperson or other designee of the Council;
(ii) at least one representative of a parent training and information center established pursuant to section 682(a) of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (as added by section 101 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997; Public Law 105-17);
(iii) at least one representative of the client assistance program established under section 112;
(iv) at least one qualified vocational rehabilitation counselor, with knowledge of and experience with vocational rehabilitation programs, who shall serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of Council if the counselor is an employee of the designated State agency;
(v) at least one representative of community rehabilitation program service providers;
(vi) four representatives of business, industry, and labor;
(vii) representatives of disability advocacy groups representing a cross section of -
(I)individuals with physical, cognitive, sensory, and mental disabilities; and
(II) individuals' representatives of individuals with disabilities who have difficulty in representing themselves or are unable due to their disabilities to represent themselves;
and
(viii) current or former applicants for, or recipients of, vocational rehabilitation services.
(ix)in a State in which one or more projects are carried out under section 121, at least one representative of the directors of the projects;
(x)at least one representative of the State educational agency responsible for the public education of students with disabilities who are eligible to receive services under this title and part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; and
(xi)at least one representative of the State workforce investment board.
(2) Ex Officio Member.- The Director of the designated State unit shall be an ex officio member of the Council.
(3) Appointment.- Members of the Council shall be appointed by the Governor or the appropriate entity within the State responsible for making appointments. The appointing authority shall select members after soliciting recommendations from representatives of organizations representing a broad range of individuals with disabilities and organizations interested in individuals with disabilities.
(4) Qualifications.-
(A)In General - A majority of Council members shall be persons who are -
(i) individuals with disabilities described in section 7(8)(b); and
(ii) not employed by the designated State unit.
(5) Chairperson.-
(A) In General.- Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Council shall select a chairperson from among the membership of the Council.
(B) Designation by Governor.- In States in which the Governor does not have veto power pursuant to State law, the governor shall designate a member of the Council to serve as the chairperson of the Council or shall require the Council to so designate such a member.
(6) Terms of Appointment.-
(A) Length of Term.- Each member of the Council shall serve for a term of not more than three years, except that -
(i) a member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which a predecessor was appointed, shall be appointed for the remainder of such term; and
(ii)the terms of service of the members initially appointed shall be (as specified by the Governor) for such fewer number of years as will provide for the expiration of terms on a staggered basis.
(B) Number of Terms.- No member of the Council, other than a representative described in clause (iii) or (ix) of paragraph (1)(A), or clause (iii) or (x) of paragraph (1)(B), may serve more than two consecutive full terms.
(7) Vacancies.-
(A) In General - Except as provided in subparagraph (B), any vacancy occurring in the membership of the Council shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. The vacancy shall not affect the power of the remaining members to execute the duties of the Council.
(B)Delegation - The Governor may delegate the authority to fill such a vacancy to the remaining members of the Council after making the original appointment.
(c) Functions of Council.- The Council shall, after consulting with the State workforce investment board -
(1) review, analyze, and advise the designated State unit regarding the performance of the responsibilities of the unit under this title, particularly responsibilities relating to -
(A) eligibility (including order of selection);
(B) the extent, scope, and effectiveness of services provided; and
(C) functions performed by State agencies that affect or that potentially affect the ability of individuals with disabilities in achieving rehabilitation goals and objectives under this title;
(2)in partnership with the designated State unit --
(3) advise the designated State agency and the designated State unit, and, at the discretion of the designated State agency, assist in the preparation of applications, the State plan, the strategic plan and amendments to the plans, reports, needs assessments, and evaluations required by this title;
(4) to the extent feasible, conduct a review and analysis of the effectiveness of, and consumer satisfaction with -
(A) the functions performed by State agencies and other public and private entities responsible for performing functions for individuals with disabilities; and
(B) vocational rehabilitation services -
(i) provided, or paid for from funds made available, under this Act or through other public or private sources; and
(ii) provided by State agencies and other public and private entities responsible for providing vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities;
(5) prepare and submit an annual report to the Governor or appropriate State entity and the Commissioner on the status of vocational rehabilitation programs operated within the State, and make the report available to the public;
(6) to avoid duplication of efforts and enhance the number of individuals served, coordinate activities with activities of other councils within the State, including the Statewide Independent Living Council established under section 705, the advisory panel established under section 612 (a)(21) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (as amended by section 101 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997; Public Law 105-17), the State Developmental Disabilities Council described in Section 124 of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (42 U.S.C. 6024), the State mental health planning council established under section 1914(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300x-4(a)), and the State workforce investment board;
(7) provide for coordination and the establishment of working relationships between the State agency and the Statewide Independent Living Council and centers for independent living within the State; and
(8) perform such other functions, consistent with the purpose of this title, as the State Rehabilitation Advisory Council determines to be appropriate, that are comparable to the other functions performed by the Council.
(d) Resources.-
(1) Plan.- The Council shall prepare, in conjunction with the designated State unit, a plan for the provision of such resources, including such staff and other personnel, as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the Council under this section. The resource plan shall, to the maximum extent possible, rely on the use of resources in existence during the period of implementation of the plan.
(2) Resolution of Disagreements.- To the extent that there is a disagreement between the Council and the designated State unit in regard to the resources necessary to carry out the functions of the Council as set forth in this section, the disagreement shall be resolved by the Governor or appointing agency consistent with paragraph (1).
(3) Supervision and Evaluation.- Each Council shall, consistent with State law, supervise and evaluate such staff and other personnel as may be necessary to carry out its functions under this section.
(4) Personnel Conflict of Interest.- While assisting the Council in carrying out its duties, staff and other personnel shall not be assigned duties by the designated State unit or any other agency or office of the State, that would create a conflict of interest.
(e) Conflict of Interest.- No member of the Council shall cast a vote on any matter that would provide direct financial benefit to the member or otherwise give the appearance of a conflict of interest under State law.
(f) Meetings.- The Council shall convene at least four meetings a year in such places as it determines to be necessary to conduct Council business and conduct such forums or hearings as the Council considers appropriate. The meetings, hearing, and forums shall be publicly announced. The meetings shall be open and accessible to the general public unless there is a valid reason for executive session.
(g) Compensation and Expenses.- The Council may use funds appropriated under this title to reimburse members of the Council for reasonable and necessary expenses of attending Council meetings and performing Council duties (including child care and personal assistance services), and to pay compensation to a member of the Council, if such member is not employed or must forfeit wages from other employment, for each day the member is engaged in performing the duties of the Council.
(h) Hearings and Forums.- The Council is authorized to hold such hearings and forums as the Council may determine to be necessary to carry out the duties of the Council.