EXECUTIVE ORDER
93-01
WHEREAS, the State of Missouri should pursue all possible avenues to secure proper funding for the rehabilitation of its blind citizens; and
WHEREAS, under Title I of Public Law 102-569, the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992, federal funds are available to the state for a wide range of rehabilitation services; and
WHEREAS, this federal law requires that the state plan filed with the Secretary, U.S. Department of Education, provide for an advisory council appointed by the Governor to consult actively and continually with the Department of Social Services, Division of Family Services, Rehabilitation Services for the Blind; and
WHEREAS, Section 1.12 of the Reorganization Act of 1974 authorizes the Governor to create by Executive Order such advisory councils as may be required to conform with requirements to receive federal grants.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mel Carnahan, Governor of the State of Missouri, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Missouri, including Section 1.12 of the Reorganization Act of 1974, hereby create and establish the State Rehabilitation Advisory Council for the Blind (hereinafter referred to as the Council).
The Council is assigned for administrative purposes to the Division of Family Services, Rehabilitation Services for the Blind, and shall operate with all applicable powers, duties and responsibilities contained in Title I of Public Law 102-569, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the Secretary, U. S. Department of Education, or his successor, applicable state statutes and rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and this Executive Order, including advising Rehabilitation Services for the Blind on planning, development, support, implementation, and evaluation of the appropriate state programs assisted under Title I of Public Law 102-569.
The Council shall consist of no more than twenty-one (21) individuals appointed by the Governor to be broadly representative of rehabilitation including broadly representative of rehabilitation including person in the state who are blind or severely visually impaired, including persons representative of the various groups identified in Section 126 of Public Law 102-569, and as ex officio member, the director of Rehabilitation Services for the Blind. A majority of the Council members shall be persons who are individuals with disabilities described in Section 7(8)(B) of said Public Law, who meet Rehabilitation Services for the Blind visual requirements for vocational rehabilitation, and who are not employed by Rehabilitation Services for the Blind. The membership so appointed shall include members of the major organizations of the blind in Missouri.
The members appointed by the Governor shall serve terms of three years; provided, however, that of the members first appointed, seven (7) shall serve a term of three years, seven (7) shall serve a term of two years, and seven (7) shall serve a term of one year. No member may serve more than two consecutive full terms, and any vacancy occurring in the Council membership shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
Council members may be reimbursed for reasonable actual and necessary expenses arising from council activity or business. The guidelines of the Division of Family Services shall govern the rate of reimbursement for travel expenses.
The Council, in conjunction with Rehabilitation Services for the Blind, shall prepare a plan for the provision of resources, including staff and other personnel as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the Council but the plan, to the maximum extent possible, shall rely on the use of resources in existence during the implementation period of the plan.
The Council shall make annually a report on its activities to the Governor, to the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Education, and to the Director of the Division of Family Services. A copy of that report shall be transmitted by the Council to the Legislative Library.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, on this 5th day of February, 1993.
[Mel Carnahan's signature]
GOVERNOR
ATTEST:
[Judith K. Moriarty's signature]
SECRETARY OF STATE
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