Section 17-19-4. (Repealed effective June 30, 2018) Duties; powers

   (a) The council shall have the following duties:

   (1) To periodically, and at least every two years, review the conditions, needs, issues, and problems related to criminal justice; issue a report on the same to the executive counsel of the Governor, the Office of Planning and Budget, and the chairpersons of the House Committee on Appropriations, the Senate Appropriations Committee, the House Committee on Judiciary, and the Senate Judiciary Committee; and recommend any action or proposed legislation which the council deems necessary or appropriate. Nothing contained in the council's report shall be considered to authorize or require a change in any law without action by the General Assembly;

   (2) To evaluate and consider the best practices, experiences, and results of legislation in other states with regard to children, adults, and families involved in the juvenile or superior court or equivalent systems; and

   (3) To identify and recommend whether and when any state law should be modified to conform, whenever desirable, to federal legislation.

(b) The council shall have the following powers:

   (1) To evaluate how the laws and programs affecting the criminal justice system in this state are working;

   (2) To request and receive data from and review the records of appropriate state agencies and courts to the greatest extent allowed by state and federal law;

   (3) To accept public or private grants, devises, and bequests;

   (4) To authorize entering into contracts or agreements through the council's chairperson necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties;

   (5) To establish rules and procedures for conducting the business of the council; and

   (6) To conduct studies, hold public meetings, collect data, or take any other action the council deems necessary to fulfill its responsibilities.

(c) The council shall be authorized to retain the services of attorneys, consultants, subject matter experts, economists, budget analysts, data analysts, statisticians, and other individuals or organizations as determined appropriate by the council.

Code 1981, § 17-19-4, enacted by Ga. L. 2013, p. 222, § 11/HB 349.