To enact sections 193.01, 193.02, 193.03, 193.04, and 193.05 of the Revised Code to create the Ohio Economic Council on Women.

Section 1. That sections 193.01, 193.02, 193.03, 193.04, and 193.05 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 193.01.  (A) There is hereby created within the development services agency the Ohio economic council on women. The council shall consist of the following members:

(1) Three members of the senate, two members appointed by the president of the senate and one member appointed by the minority leader of the senate;

(2) Three members of the house of representatives, two members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one member appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives;

(3) Four members jointly appointed by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives who have knowledge of and experience regarding the economic concerns of women;

(4) One member appointed by the governor who is recommended by the advisory committee on women veterans;

(5) Two members, appointed by the governor from nominations submitted by the Ohio board of regents, who are faculty or staff from state or private four-year institutions of higher education that have a graduate program and have research and teaching experience in the field of economic concerns of women;

(6) Two members appointed by the governor, who may be selected from lists of qualified persons submitted by interested local, civic, and business groups involved in the advancement of women. The interested groups shall actively seek persons from as broad a range within each group as is reasonably possible and shall ensure that these persons broadly represent the community in areas such as age, sex, minority status, economic level, employment, and political affiliation.

(B)(1)(a) Initial appointments to the council shall be made not later than sixty days after the effective date of this section.

(b) The Ohio board of regents or an interested party, as applicable, shall submit recommendations for initial appointments to be made pursuant to division (A)(5) or (6) of this section to the governor not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section. For appointments made pursuant to division (A)(5) or (6) of this section subsequent to the initial appointments made under those divisions, the board or interested party shall submit recommendations not later than thirty days prior to the expiration date of the term of the member for which the appointment is to be made.

(2) Each member of the council appointed pursuant to division (A)(1) or (2) of this section shall hold office during the general assembly in which the member is appointed and until a successor has been appointed, notwithstanding the adjournment sine die of the general assembly in which the member was appointed or the expiration of the member's term as a member of the general assembly. Any vacancies occurring among these members of the council shall be filled in the manner of the original appointment.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in division (B)(2) of this section, terms of office shall be as follows:

(a) Of the four members appointed pursuant to division (A)(3) of this section, the president of the senate and speaker of the house shall jointly appoint two members to terms ending two years after the effective date of this section and two members to terms ending four years after the effective date of this section.

(b) Of the two members appointed pursuant to division (A)(5) of this section, the governor shall appoint one member for a term ending two years after the effective date of this section and one for a term ending four years after the effective date of this section.

(c) Of the two members appointed pursuant to division (A)(6) of this section, the governor shall appoint one member for a term ending two years after the effective date of this section and one for a term ending four years after the effective date of this section.

(d) Except as otherwise provided in division (B)(2) of this section, all other members shall be appointed for terms ending four years after the effective date of this section.

Thereafter, terms of office for members described in division (B)(3) of this section shall be for four years, with each term ending on the same day of the same month as did the term it succeeds. Each of these members shall hold office from the date of the member's appointment until the end of the term for which the member was appointed. No member described in division (B)(3) of this section shall be appointed to more than two consecutive four-year terms. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment pursuant to the criteria in this section only for the remainder of the unexpired term. Any member initially appointed to a four-year term shall not be eligible for reappointment without a two-year absence from council membership.

(C) The council shall elect at the first regular meeting of each calendar year a chair, a vice-chair, and three representatives, who comprise the five-member executive committee to function between quarterly meetings. The chair or the director of development services may call meetings of the executive committee. The executive committee shall carry out the matters delegated to it by the council.

(D) The council shall meet as necessary to transact business, provided that the council shall meet at least quarterly. Additional meetings may be called by the chair or by three members of the council upon delivery of written notice to each member of the council. The director shall notify all members of the time and place of any regular or special meeting at least seven days in advance of that meeting.

(E) A majority of council members shall constitute a quorum. The concurrence of a majority of those members present and voting in any matter within the council's duties is required for a determination of matters within the council's jurisdiction.

(F) Council members shall receive no compensation but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of council duties.

Sec. 193.02.  (A) The Ohio economic council on women shall examine the economic concerns and needs of women in Ohio, including employment policies and practices, educational needs and opportunities, child care, property rights, health care, domestic relations, and the effect of federal and state laws on women. To address these concerns and needs, the council may conduct research, hold hearings, develop recommendations and policy, educate the public, and engage in activities for the benefit of women.

(B) The council may request funds from the federal government and private sources to implement division (A) of this section and may request assistance from state agencies and local governments as needed.

(C) The council shall do all of the following:

(1) Consult with and report to the governor, the general assembly, and the pertinent agencies, departments, boards, commissions, and other entities of state and local governments on matters pertaining to women;

(2) Serve as an advocate for women;

(3) Establish and maintain a program to find and encourage women to serve on state boards and commissions;

(4) To the extent resources exist, evaluate and quantify the results of job training programs and evaluate whether they assist women to obtain better employment.

Sec. 193.03.  (A) Not later than September 1, 2016, and every two years thereafter, the Ohio economic council on women shall submit a report to the governor and the general assembly. The council shall include all of the following in the report:

(1) A summary of the activities and findings of the council on the economic status of women in the state of Ohio during the immediately preceding two years;

(2) Recommendations for more effective use of existing resources and services for women;

(3) Proposals for the development of programs, opportunities, and services that are not otherwise provided to advance a comprehensive and coordinated system of services for women;

(4) Any other recommendations as the council finds appropriate.

(B) A copy of the report shall be made available to the public on the web site maintained by the development services agency.

Sec. 193.04.  (A) The director of development services shall be the chief administrative officer of the council.

The director may conduct the ordinary and necessary business in the name of the council in accordance with this chapter or as determined by the council.

(B) The director shall do all of the following with respect to the duties of the council:

(1) Supervise the expenditure of funds and be responsible for complying with all applicable provisions of state and federal law in the receipt and disbursement of funds;

(2) Serve as an advocate for women;

(3) Employ personnel as authorized by the council.

Sec. 193.05.  There is hereby created in the state treasury the economic council on women fund. Money received by the Ohio economic council on women pursuant to division (B) of section 193.02 of the Revised Code shall be credited to the fund. The council shall use the money in the fund to implement division (A) of section 193.02 of the Revised Code.