This toolkit offers guidance, instruction, and innovative ideas to help establish effective State Councils and promote meaningful member terms. You will find essential information to support your council’s vital work with your state’s interstate compact office and the Commission’s mission of promoting effective supervision strategies that prioritize public safety, accountability, and victims’ rights.

We encourage you to use this toolkit as a dynamic resource, tailoring it to meet your council's specific needs. Thank you for being so committed to fostering a more effective system for managing individuals under supervision who move across state lines.

Your input is invaluable in ensuring the relevance and timeliness of council materials. If you have examples, additions, and suggestions that could benefit others across the country, please contact us at icaos@interstatecompact.org.

Why do State Councils exist?

Article IV of the ICAOS Model Act mandates that each state establish a State Council to oversee its intrastate affairs related to the compact. Each member jurisdiction is required to create and maintain a State Council, which serves as the coordinating body and in-state partner to the Commission.

Membership

Who can be a member of a State Council?

A State Council must include at least one member from the legislative, judicial, and executive branches as well as a representative from a victim’s group and compact administrator. Additional members may be added in number and type at each council’s or each state’s discretion. Before making specific appointments, please review your state’s relevant legislation.

What factors should an individual consider when serving on a State Council?

• Term of appointment
• Meeting frequency and format
• Whether there are financial disclosure requirements related to this position
• Whether there are statutory obligations or requirements for serving on a board in your state

In most instances, your appointment letter should explain these terms; or your compact office should be able to provide you with additional details to ensure you have a clear understanding of your role and responsibilities.

What factors should a state consider when recommending appointments?

• Willingness to Serve: Is the candidate enthusiastic about taking on this role and committed to its responsibilities?
• Interest in the Compact and Corrections: Does the candidate demonstrate a genuine interest in the goals of the Compact and the corrections field?
• Reputation in the Community: Is the candidate well-respected and recognized within the criminal justice community for their expertise and contributions?
• Professional Connections: Does the candidate have valuable network connections that could benefit the Compact Office and enhance collaboration?
• Diversity of Perspective: Does the candidate bring diverse experiences or viewpoints that can contribute to more comprehensive decision-making?

Considering these factors can help ensure that recommended candidates will effectively contribute to the goals and mission of the Compact.

Purpose

What are a State Council’s functions or duties? The state council is a support mechanism that facilitates collaboration between state officials, compact administrators, and community partners. It provides resources to ensure the compact functions effectively. This includes managing operations, resolving issues, and sharing best practices, which improves public safety and successful outcomes for individuals under compact supervision.

How often should my council meet?

A functioning state council typically meets at least once a year. However, to better fulfill its role, your council may find it beneficial to meet more often. Increased meeting frequency can create valuable opportunities for discussion, collaboration, and strategic planning.

Ultimately, the frequency of meetings should reflect your council’s goals, the complexity of issues being addressed, and the needs of your community. Establishing a regular meeting schedule promotes engagement and encourages active participation, which can significantly improve the council’s impact on partner communities and supervision outcomes.

Model Act

According to Article IV, State Councils must:

• Appoint the state’s Compact Administrator as Commissioner to serve on the Interstate Commission for the state (may be appointed by the State Council or the state’s governor in consultation with the legislature and judiciary – see your state-specific statute);
• Determine the State Council’s membership; and,
• Exercise oversight and advocacy, including but not limited to developing operating policies for the state’s interstate compact office.

ICAOS Policy

In addition to the requirements outlined in the Model Act, ICAOS Policy 03-2009 provides additional duties such as annual reporting requirements which must be filed with the national office by December 31st of each year and must contain any updates to the council’s roster and any meetings that occurred during the reporting year. The State Council Dashboard may be accessed here.

What other functions does a State Council serve?

The State Council plays several important roles, including:

• Evaluate Compact Processes: Monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of existing compact procedures to identify areas for improvement.
• Review Reports: Examine annual reports and compliance dashboards to ensure adherence to standards.
• Monitor Legislative and Policy Positions: Develop and oversee legislative or policy initiatives relevant to the compact within your state.
• Coordinate Training: Recommend and organize training sessions for compact officers, field staff, and other relevant state partners.
• Facilitate Dispute Resolution: Engage in resolving disputes related to the compact to maintain collaborative relationships.
• Coordinate Compact Activities: Manage and streamline compact-related activities and responses across various branches of government.
• Raise Awareness: Increase the visibility of the compact among state leaders, non-governmental organizations, and the public to promote understanding and support.

Support

What are some typical issues that my State Council can resolve?

• Implementation of Compact Rules:  
  • Councils often discuss the implementation of rules set forth by the Compact and any associated challenges.
  • They may propose changes for discussion at regional or national levels to enhance the effectiveness of the Compact.
• Treatment of Compact Individuals:
  • Councils may discuss whether supervised individuals in the compact receive the same treatment as those individuals supervised in-state and what policies or state laws may hinder equal treatment.
• Staffing and Resource Needs:  
  • Councils evaluate whether the state is adequately meeting staffing and resource needs.
  • They assess whether the state has the appropriate data to evaluate the effectiveness of Compact rules and operations.
  • They may evaluate the implementation of fees to provide necessary resources and how compact fees could affect equal treatment and overall equity.
• Compliance Rates:  
  • Councils review their state’s compliance rates as reflected in dashboard reports from the national office, identifying areas for improvement.
  • They develop strategies and requirements for achieving better compliance.
  • Councils may investigate how other states improve their compliance and what practices may be adopted.
• Streamlining Processes:  
  • Councils may focus on ways to streamline processes such as warrant issuance and tracking to enhance compliance and improve retaking procedures.
  • They may promote training for officers, prosecutors, and judges to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
  • They may consider ways to improve relationships with jails, the judiciary, victim advocacy groups, prosecutors, and other state partners.

Effectiveness

What makes a State Council effective?

• Utilize the Council: Actively engage with your State Council to navigate legislative changes, enhance stakeholder relationships, provide feedback on successes and challenges, and make informed recommendations.
• Foster Communication: Maintain open and frequent communication with external stakeholders, including law enforcement, the judiciary, and victim advocacy groups. Consider hosting events to educate these groups about the compact and your state’s related activities.
• Set Clear Expectations: Clearly define the roles, duties, and responsibilities of State Council members to ensure everyone understands their contributions.
• Ensure Compliance: Regularly verify that your state is meeting its compact obligations and adhering to ICAOS rules.
• Provide Education: Offer training for State Council members and other key stakeholders. This training can be sourced from the ICAOS national office or tailored to address your state’s unique circumstances.
• Engage Actively: Involve your State Council members and compact staff in strategic planning discussions. Regular engagement helps identify current challenges and explore potential solutions.
• Seek Assistance: Don’t hesitate to reach out to the ICAOS national office and other member jurisdictions for support on processes, procedures, enforcement, data analysis, and information sharing.