§ 45

Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. (a) The member states hereby create the "Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children". The activities of the Interstate Commission are the formation of public policy and are a discretionary state function. The Interstate Commission shall: (1) Be a body corporate and joint agency of the member states and shall have all the responsibilities, powers, and duties set forth herein, and such additional powers as may be conferred upon it by a subsequent concurrent action of the respective legislatures of the member states in accordance with the terms of the compact. (2) Consist of one Interstate Commission voting representative from each member state who shall be that state's compact commissioner. (A) Each member state represented at a meeting of the Interstate Commission is entitled to one vote. (B) A majority of the total member states shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, unless a larger quorum is required by the bylaws of the Interstate Commission. (C) A representative shall not delegate a vote to another member state. In the event the compact commissioner is unable to attend a meeting of the Interstate Commission, the State Council may delegate voting authority to another person from their state for a specified meeting. (D) The bylaws may provide for meetings of the Interstate Commission to be conducted by telecommunication or electronic communication. (3) Consist of ex-officio, non-voting representatives who are members of interested organizations. Such ex-officio members, as defined in the bylaws, may include, but not be limited to, members of the representative organizations of military family advocates, local education agency officials, parent and teacher groups, the U.S. Department of Defense, the Education Commission of the States, the Interstate Agreement on the Qualification of Educational Personnel, and other interstate compacts affecting the education of children of military members. (4) Meet at least once each calendar year. The chairperson may call additional meetings and, upon the request of a simple majority of the member states, shall call additional meetings. (5) Establish an executive committee, whose members shall include the officers of the Interstate Commission and such other members of the Interstate Commission as determined by the bylaws. Members of the executive committee shall serve a one-year term. Members of the executive committee shall be entitled to one vote each. The executive committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the Interstate Commission, with the exception of rulemaking, during periods when the Interstate Commission is not in session. The executive committee shall oversee the day-to-day activities of the administration of the compact, including enforcement and compliance with the provisions of the compact, its bylaws and rules, and other such duties as deemed necessary. The U.S. Department of Defense shall serve as an ex-officio, nonvoting member of the executive committee. (6) Establish bylaws and rules that provide for conditions and procedures under which the Interstate Commission shall make its information and official records available to the public for inspection or copying. The Interstate Commission may exempt from disclosure information or official records to the extent they would adversely affect personal privacy rights or proprietary interests. (7) Give public notice of all meetings, and all meetings shall be open to the public, except as set forth in the rules or as otherwise provided in the compact. The Interstate Commission and its committees may close a meeting, or portion thereof, where it determines by two-thirds vote that an open meeting would be likely to: (A) relate solely to the Interstate Commission's internal personnel practices and procedures; (B) disclose matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal and state statute; (C) disclose trade secrets or commercial or financial information which is privileged or confidential; (D) involve accusing a person of a crime or formally censuring a person; (E) disclose information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy; (F) disclose investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes; or (G) specifically relate to the Interstate Commission's participation in a civil action or other legal proceeding. (8) Cause its legal counsel or designee to certify that a meeting may be closed and shall reference each relevant exemptible provision for any meeting, or portion of a meeting, which is closed pursuant to this provision. The Interstate Commission shall keep minutes, which shall fully and clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the reasons therefore, including a description of the views expressed and the record of a roll call vote. All documents considered in connection with an action shall be identified in such minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting shall remain under seal, subject to release by a majority vote of the Interstate Commission. (9) Collect standardized data concerning the educational transition of the children of military families under the compact as directed through its rules, which shall specify the data to be collected, the means of collection and data exchange and reporting requirements. Such methods of data collection, exchange, and reporting shall, in so far as is reasonably possible, conform to current technology and coordinate its information functions with the appropriate State custodian of educational records as identified in the rules. (10) Create a process that permits military officials, education officials, and parents to inform the Interstate Commission if and when there are alleged violations of the compact or its rules or when issues subject to the jurisdiction of the compact or its rules are not addressed by the state or local education agency. This Section shall not be construed to create a private right of action against the Interstate Commission or any member state. (b) The Interstate Commission shall have the following powers: (1) To provide for dispute resolution among member states. (2) To promulgate rules and take all necessary actions to effect the goals, purposes, and obligations as enumerated in the compact. The rules shall be binding in the compact states to the extent and in the manner provided in this Act. These rules are not effective or enforceable in this State until enacted into law in this State. (3) To issue, upon request of a member state, advisory opinions concerning the meaning or interpretation of the interstate compact, its bylaws, rules, and actions. (4) To enforce compliance with the compact provisions and the rules promulgated by the Interstate Commission using all necessary and proper means, including, but not limited to, the use of judicial process. These rules are not effective or enforceable in this State until enacted into law in this State. (5) To establish and maintain offices, which shall be located within one or more of the member states. (6) To purchase and maintain insurance and bonds. (7) To borrow, accept, hire, or contract for services of personnel. (8) To establish and appoint committees including, but not limited to, an executive committee as required by item (5) of subsection (a) of this Section, which shall have the power to act on behalf of the Interstate Commission in carrying out its powers and duties hereunder. (9) To elect or appoint such officers, attorneys, employees, agents, or consultants; to fix their compensation, define their duties, and determine their qualifications; and to establish the Interstate Commission's personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of interest, rates of compensation, and qualifications of personnel. (10) To accept any and all donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services, and to receive, utilize, and dispose of it. (11) To lease, purchase, accept contributions or donations of, or otherwise to own, hold, improve, or use any property, real, personal, or mixed. (12) To sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise dispose of any property, real, personal, or mixed. (13) To establish a budget and make expenditures. (14) To adopt a seal and bylaws governing the management and operation of the Interstate Commission. (15) To report annually to the legislatures, governors, judiciary, and state councils of the member states concerning the activities of the Interstate Commission during the preceding year. Such reports shall also include any recommendations that may have been adopted by the Interstate Commission. (16) To coordinate education, training, and public awareness regarding the compact, its implementation, and operation for officials and parents involved in such activity. (17) To establish uniform standards for the reporting, collecting, and exchanging of data. These standards are not effective or enforceable in this State until enacted into law in this State. (18) To maintain corporate books and records in accordance with the bylaws. (19) To perform such functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of the compact. (20) To provide for the uniform collection and sharing of information between and among member states, schools, and military families under the compact. Provision for the collection and sharing of information is not effective or enforceable in this State until enacted into law in this State. (c) The Interstate Commission shall, by a majority of the members present and voting, within 12 months after the first Interstate Commission meeting, adopt bylaws to govern its conduct as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the compact, including, but not limited to: (1) Establishing the fiscal year of the Interstate Commission. (2) Establishing an executive committee and such other committees as may be necessary. (3) Providing for the establishment of committees and for governing any general or specific delegation of authority or function of the Interstate Commission. (4) Providing reasonable procedures for calling and conducting meetings of the Interstate Commission, and ensuring reasonable notice of each such meeting. (5) Establishing the titles and responsibilities of the officers and staff of the Interstate Commission. (6) Providing a mechanism for concluding the operations of the Interstate Commission and the return of surplus funds that may exist upon the termination of the compact after the payment and reserving of all of its debts and obligations. (7) Providing "start-up" rules for initial administration of the compact. These rules are not effective or enforceable in this State until enacted into law in this State. (d) The Interstate Commission shall, by a majority of the members, elect annually from among its members a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and a treasurer, each of whom shall have such authority and duties as may be specified in the bylaws. The chairperson or, in the chairperson's absence or disability, the vice-chairperson, shall preside at all meetings of the Interstate Commission. The officers so elected shall serve without compensation or remuneration from the Interstate Commission, provided that, subject to the availability of budgeted funds, the officers shall be reimbursed for ordinary and necessary costs and expenses incurred by them in the performance of their responsibilities as officers of the Interstate Commission. (e) The executive committee shall have such authority and duties as may be set forth in the bylaws, including, but not limited to: (1) managing the affairs of the Interstate Commission in a manner consistent with the bylaws and purposes of the Interstate Commission; (2) overseeing an organizational structure within and appropriate procedures for the Interstate Commission to provide for the creation of rules, operating procedures, and administrative and technical support functions; and (3) planning, implementing, and coordinating communications and activities with other state, federal, and local government organizations in order to advance the goals of the Interstate Commission. The executive committee may, subject to the approval of the Interstate Commission, appoint or retain an executive director for such period, upon such terms and conditions and for such compensation, as the Interstate Commission may deem appropriate. The executive director shall serve as secretary to the Interstate Commission, but shall not be a member of the Interstate Commission. The executive director shall hire and supervise such other persons as may be authorized by the Interstate Commission. (f) The Interstate Commission's executive director and its employees shall be immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity, for a claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused or arising out of or relating to an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred, or that such person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred, within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided, that such person shall not be protected from suit or liability for damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of such person. (g) The liability of the Interstate Commission's executive director and employees or Interstate Commission representatives, acting within the scope of such person's employment or duties, for acts, errors, or omissions occurring within such person's state may not exceed the limits of liability set forth under the Constitution and laws of that state for state officials, employees, and agents. The Interstate Commission is considered to be an instrumentality of the states for the purposes of any such action. Nothing in this subsection (g) shall be construed to protect such person from suit or liability for damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of such person. (h) The Interstate Commission shall defend the executive director and its employees and, subject to the approval of the Attorney General or other appropriate legal counsel of the member state represented by an Interstate Commission representative, shall defend such Interstate Commission representative in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that the defendant had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from intentional or willful and wanton misconduct on the part of such person. (i) To the extent not covered by the state involved, member state, or the Interstate Commission, the representatives or employees of the Interstate Commission shall be held harmless in the amount of a settlement or judgment, including attorney's fees and costs, obtained against such persons arising out of an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that such persons had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from intentional or willful and wanton misconduct on the part of such persons.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 96-953, eff. 6-28-10 .)