R547-6-3. Administration and Organization

  Section 62A-7-501 establishes a Youth Parole Authority within the Division of Juvenile Justice Services which has responsibility for parole release, rescission, revocation, and termination of parole for youth offenders committed to the Division for secure confinement.

  (1) The Authority is established as an autonomous organization.

  (2) The following criteria shall be utilized in the selection and appointment of the Authority members:

  (a) A member shall have training or experience in social work, law, juvenile or criminal justice, or related behavioral sciences.

  (b) A member shall not be an employee of the Department of Human Services, other than in the capacity as a member of the Authority, and may not hold any public office during the tenure of the appointment. A member shall not hold a position in the State's juvenile justice system or be an employee, officer, advisor, policy board member, or subcontractor of any juvenile justice agency or its contractor during the tenure of the appointment.

  (c) The membership shall represent, to the extent possible, a diversity of the population under the jurisdiction of the Division.

  (d) The membership shall be composed of individuals with the capacity to conduct hearings in a professional manner, develop appropriate policies and procedures, be sensitive to both legal and treatment oriented issues and promote credibility in the parole release process.

  (3) Youth Parole Authority members shall be appointed for terms of four years by the Governor with the consent of the Senate.

  (4)(a) The members of the Youth Parole Authority shall elect the chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Authority by majority vote for terms of one year. A second vice-chairperson shall be designated by the Authority members present at hearings in which the chairperson and vice-chairperson are absent.

  (b) The duties of the chairperson are as follows:

  (i) to preside at meetings and hearings and in the chairperson's absence the first vice-chairperson shall act. In the absence of the chairperson and first vice-chairperson, the second vice-chairperson shall preside at the meeting or hearing.

  (ii) to act as official spokesperson for the Authority with the concurrence of the Authority;

  (iii) to work closely with the Administrative Officer in the administration of the Authority and in coordinating with the Division.

  (5) Any member of the Authority may be removed from office for cause.

  (6) The Authority members may not receive compensation or benefits for their service, but may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with section 63A-3-106 and 107.

  (7) The Division Director shall ensure that time is available for Division members to participate in training and administrative meetings related to Authority and Division matters.

  (8) The Authority has the power to require that general and specific conditions of parole be followed in the supervision of parolees.

  (9) The Authority has the statutory power, Section 62A-7-501(12), to secure prompt and full information relating to youth offenders committed to the Division from the staffs of the secure facilities, regional offices, community placements, and the juvenile court.

  (10) The Authority has statutory power, Section 62A-7-504, to cause the arrest of parolees and the power to revoke parole.

  (11) The Authority has the designated power to terminate youthful offenders from parole.

  (12) The Authority shall establish policies and procedures for its governance, meeting, hearings, the conduct of proceedings before it, the parole of youth offenders, and the general conditions under which parole may be granted, rescinded, revoked, modified, and terminated. The Authority's policies and procedures are subject to the approval of the Board of Juvenile Justice Services.

  (13) The policy and procedures manual of the Authority will be readily available to youth in secure facilities, parolees, staff and the public.

  (14) The Authority shall request any needed legal assistance from the Attorney General's Office.

  (15) The position of an Administrative Officer shall be established to carry out day to day functions and to implement the policies and procedures of the Authority.

  (16) Required staff shall be appointed to the Authority.