(a) There is created the Children and Youth Coordinating Council which shall consist of 23 members who have training, experience, or special knowledge concerning the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect, emotional disability, foster care, teenage pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, law enforcement, pediatrics, health care, drug treatment and rehabilitation, primary education, or the administration of juvenile justice. The council shall have members who represent business groups or businesses who employ youth. At least one-fifth of the members shall be under the age of 24 at the time of their appointment and at least three members shall have been or shall currently be under the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system or the foster care system. A majority of the members, including the chairman, shall not be full-time employees of federal, state, or local governments. At least one member of the council shall reside in each congressional district in this state. Twenty-one members including the chairman shall be appointed by the Governor, one member shall be appointed by the President of the Senate, and one member shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The terms of all members of the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council in office prior to July 1, 1991, shall expire on such date. Successors to such members shall be appointed as members of the Children and Youth Coordinating Council for terms of office beginning on July 1, 1991. Ten members appointed by the Governor shall have initial terms of two years and 11 of such members shall have initial terms of four years. The members appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall have initial terms of four years. Thereafter, the terms of all members shall be for four years and until their successors are appointed and qualified.

(b) All appointments to the council shall become effective on July 1. In the event of death, resignation, disqualification, or removal for any reason of any member of the council, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment and the successor shall serve for the unexpired term.

(c) Membership on the council does not constitute public office and no member shall be disqualified from holding public office by reason of his membership on the council.

(d) Members of the council shall serve without compensation, except that each member who is not a state officer or state employee shall receive the same expense allowance per day as that received by a member of the General Assembly for each day such member of the council is in attendance at a meeting of such council, plus either reimbursement for actual transportation costs while traveling by public carrier or the same mileage allowance for use of a personal car in connection with such attendance as members of the General Assembly receive.

(e) The council shall elect its own officers and make such bylaws for its operation as may be necessary or appropriate.