Rule 1903 Multibranch Behavioral Health Committee

(a) Purpose. The Supreme Court creates the Multibranch Behavioral Health Committee to examine the impact of behavioral health matters on the court system and fulfill the following responsibilities:

(1) gather information from local multibranch communities of practice in judicial districts;

(2) provide information and education to local multibranch communities of practice;

(3) determine best practices for working with individuals with behavioral health challenges in the court system;

(4) consider recommendations to the executive, legislative, and judicial branches regarding behavioral health matters affecting the court system; and

(5) perform other related duties as directed by the Supreme Court.

(b) Member Appointment. The Supreme Court will appoint permanent members and members with term limits.

(c) Permanent Members. The people serving in the following positions are permanent members who are not subject to term limits:

(1) one Supreme Court justice; and

(2) one representative from the Office of Judicial Administration, who will serve as secretary.

(d) Members with Term Limits. The Supreme Court will appoint no more than 18 members with term limits. The court will seek representation from all three branches of government, other entities that work with court-involved individuals with behavioral health challenges, and individuals with behavioral health experiences involving the court system.

(e) Terms. The following provisions apply to the members with term limits.

(1) Inaugural Term Limits. The inaugural members will serve staggered terms. Six members will serve 3 years, six members will serve 2 years, and six members will serve 1 year. An inaugural member initially appointed for less than 3 years may then serve two consecutive 3-year terms. An inaugural member initially appointed for 3 years may then serve one consecutive 3-year term.

(2) Subsequent Term Limit. Other than the inaugural members, the Supreme Court will appoint each member for a 3-year term. No member may serve more than two consecutive 3-year terms.

(3) Return to Service. A member may serve one or more additional terms after a break in service.

(4) Vacancy. The Supreme Court will appoint a new member to fill a vacancy. The new member will serve the unexpired term of the previous member and may then serve two consecutive 3-year terms.

(f) Committee Chair; Vice-Chair. The Supreme Court will designate one member as committee chair and another member as vice-chair.

(g) Meetings. The committee will meet when directed by the chair.

(h) Quorum. A quorum of members must be present for the committee to act. Ten members constitute a quorum.

(i) Proxy. A member may ask a designee to attend a meeting as necessary.