Section 1190.23 - Powers and duties of the commissionThe commission shall have the power and its duty shall be:
(1) To prepare and at least once every two years update a comprehensive juvenile justice plan on behalf of the Commonwealth based on an analysis of the Commonwealth's needs and problems, including juvenile delinquency prevention.(2) To apply for, contract for, receive, allocate, disburse and account for funds, grants-in-aid, grants of services and property, real and personal, particularly those funds made available pursuant to the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 ( Public Law 90-351 ), as amended, and the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 ( Public Law 93-415 ), as amended. (3) To receive applications for financial assistance from State agencies, units of general local government and combinations thereof, private nonprofit organizations and other proper applicants, and to disburse available Federal and State funds to such applicants in accordance with the provisions of applicable statutes and regulations and in conformity with the comprehensive plan.(4) To establish such fund accounting, auditing, monitoring and evaluation procedures as may be necessary to assure fiscal control, proper management and disbursement of grant funds, including the requirements of supporting papers being submitted to the disbursing agency by persons requiring reimbursement, and to establish such procedures as may be necessary to assure compliance with nondiscrimination requirements.(5) To audit the books and records of recipients of financial assistance and of their contractors and, for the purpose of such audits, to have access to all pertinent books and records required to be kept by recipients of financial assistance and by their contractors. The commission shall have the power to subpoena witnesses, books, records and papers in the execution of its auditing responsibilities and, upon certification to it of failure to obey any such subpoena, the Court is empowered after hearing to enter, when proper, an adjudication of contempt and such other order as the circumstances require.(6) To monitor and evaluate program effectiveness, funded in whole or in part by the Commonwealth through the commission aimed at reducing or preventing crime and delinquency and improving the administration of justice as deemed appropriate.(6.1) To define and collaborate with all State agencies on planning and programming related to juvenile delinquency prevention and the reduction and prevention of violence by and against children.(6.2) To design and promote comprehensive research-based initiatives to assist communities and community-based organizations in reducing risk to and promoting the positive development of children and in preventing juvenile delinquency and youth violence.(6.3) To provide support to law enforcement and community partnerships whose mission includes comprehensive, targeted crime prevention efforts and a planning process for the revitalization of high-crime and distressed communities.(7) To define, develop and coordinate programs and projects and establish priorities for crime prevention and for improvement in law enforcement, criminal justice and juvenile justice throughout this Commonwealth.(8) Provide for a periodic forum in which leaders and recognized professionals of juvenile and criminal justice programs for both the public and private sectors to discuss major issues and philosophical concerns confronting the Commonwealth's justice system. The forum shall serve to promote communications and coordination between the agencies, but shall not be involved in the direct disposition nor management of applications for State or Federal assistance. The chairman of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency shall serve as the chairman of the forum and shall appoint no more than 30 members to serve on this forum. The forum shall meet at the call of the chairman but not less than four times a year.(9) To cooperate with and render technical assistance to the General Assembly or a standing committee of the General Assembly, State agencies, units of general local government and public and private agencies relating to the improvement of the criminal and juvenile justice system, including the implementation of special conferences or workshops relating to special issues or professional improvement of criminal justice organizations.(10) To establish, and the chairman of the commission appoint, such subcommittees as it deems proper.(11) To submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly concerning its work during the preceding fiscal year. Other studies, evaluations and reports may be submitted to the Governor or the General Assembly as deemed appropriate.(12) To promulgate such rules and regulations as the commission deems necessary for the proper administration of this act.(13) To review criminal justice plans developed by other state agencies so as to promote coordination in the development and implementation of programs to improve criminal justice and juvenile justice services throughout the Commonwealth.(14) Upon request advise and assist the executive and legislative branches of State Government in developing policies, plans, programs and budgets for improving the coordination, administration and effectiveness of the criminal and juvenile justice systems.(15) To prepare special reports and studies of criminal justice issues upon the request of the Governor or the General Assembly or a standing committee of the General Assembly.(16) To design and to coordinate the development and oversee the implementation of an information system to record transactions and to analyze trends within the Commonwealth's criminal justice system.(17) To prepare and present upon the request of the chairman of a committee to which the bill has been referred a prison population impact analysis of any bill introduced in the General Assembly that would have an impact on prison or correction systems as well as on State and local probation and parole populations and programs. The analysis shall be factual and, if possible, provide a reliable estimate of the prison population impact of the bill and shall be completed and presented to the committee whose chairman requests the analysis and to the Governor within 45 days of the initial request. The commission shall prepare the analysis in consultation with the Department of Corrections, the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole and the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing, as appropriate. A request for a prison population impact analysis shall have no effect whatsoever upon the method, manner or ability of the General Assembly to consider any bill.(18)To establish advisory committees, in addition to those provided for under this act, as it deems advisable, except that only the commission may set policy or take other official action. Members of advisory committees shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary travel and other expenses in accordance with applicable law and regulations.Amended by P.L. 1607 2012 No. 196, § 2, eff. 12/24/2012.1978, Nov. 22, P.L. 1166, No. 274, § 3, effective Dec. 31, 1978. Affected 1980, Oct. 5, P.L. 693, No. 142, §325, effective in 60 days. Amended 1981 , Dec. 17, P.L. 429, No. 134, § 2, imd. effective; 1986 , April 30, P.L. 125, No. 38, § 3, effective; 1999, Dec. 15, P.L. 922, No. 60, § 1, imd. effective; 2001, June 22, P.L. 396, No. 30, § 2, effective in 60 days; 2001, June 22, P.L. 594, No. 46, § 1, imd. effective.