The membership of the Regional Juvenile Hearing Board shall consist
of seven persons and two alternates over the age of 18 years, all of whom
shall be a resident of at least three years, and none of whom shall be attorneys
admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the State of Rhode Island.
The composition of the Board shall consist of citizens of Smithfield and Johnston
who have a background in and of the related fields of education, probation
and parole, human services, community youth programs, members of the clergy,
former law enforcement or judicial officials or citizens who the Council deems
has the credentials that would be an asset to the Board. The Town Councils
shall appoint seven members as follows: Three members from the Town of Smithfield;
three members from the Town of Johnston and one member from the Tri-Town Community
Action Agency. The two alternates will be comprised of one Smithfield representative
and one Johnston representative. The Juvenile Justice Planning Committee shall
be asked to comment on all proposed appointments. The Town Councils shall
appoint two members whose term shall expire on September 30, 1997, and thereafter
until their successors are appointed and qualified, two members whose term
shall expire on September 30, 1998, and thereafter until their successors
are appointed and qualified and three members (one who shall be the Tri-Town
appointee) whose term shall expire on September 30, 1999, and thereafter until
their successors are appointed and qualified. The two alternatives shall be
appointed for a period of one-year terms to expire on September 30. During
the month of August and annually thereafter, the Smithfield and Johnston Town
Councils shall appoint a member or members to succeed the member or members
whose terms will next expire, to serve for a term of three years, commencing
on the first day of October, and thereafter until their successors are appointed
and qualified. No Board member shall serve more than two consecutive terms.
In the event of a vacancy occurring in the office of a member by death, resignation
or otherwise, such vacancy shall be filled in like manner as the original
appointment, but only for the remainder of the term of the former member.
No member of the Regional Juvenile Hearing Board shall be entitled to receive
any compensation by reason of his or her service on the Board.
This chapter shall apply to all juveniles alleged to have committed
an offense after September 1, 1996.