(a) Establishment. There shall be established an Immigrant Rights Commission (hereinafter "Commission"). The Commission shall advise and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor about issues affecting immigrants residing in San Francisco.
(b) Membership. The Commission shall consist of 15 voting members. Eleven members shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor shall appoint four members. At least eight members shall be immigrants to the United States who are appointed in accordance with Section 4.101 of the Charter. Members appointed to the Commission shall have a demonstrated knowledge of and interest in the health, human service, educational, or employment issues that affect immigrants residing in San Francisco and shall reflect the geographic, ethnic, and sexual orientation populations of San Francisco.
(c) Terms of Office. The term of each member of the Commission shall be two years; provided, however, that the members first appointed shall, by lot, classify their terms so that eight members shall serve a term of three years and seven members shall serve a term of two years. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.
In the event a vacancy occurs during the term of office of any member, a successor shall be appointed to complete the unexpired term of the office vacated in a manner similar to that for the initial member.
At the initial meeting of the Commission and yearly thereafter, the Commission members shall select such officer as deemed necessary by the Commission.
(d) Powers and Duties. The Commission shall have the power and duty to:
(1) Make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor to further involve immigrants in local governmental processes;
(2) Hold at least one public hearing annually to obtain input from the immigrant community about programs, policies, and issues that relate to immigrants who are residents of the City and County, and report recommendations developed from the public hearings to the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor;
(3) Advise the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor on State and federal legislation related to immigrants;
(4) Cooperate with and make recommendations to other City and County departments, agencies, and commissions that administer and enforce regulations relating to health, human services, law enforcement, and human rights that affect immigrants with the aim of improving the coordination of services within the City and County;
(5) Prepare and submit to the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor an annual report on the review and evaluation of the services and programs in place for immigrants residing in San Francisco, any outstanding needs, and recommendations and plans as to a program for responding to the health, human service, and employment needs of immigrants in a manner that is not duplicative;
(6) Develop a plan for outreach to, and education of, the public to increase public awareness of the contributions made by immigrants to the local economy, educational institutions, and other fields in San Francisco, and submit the plan to the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor;
(7) Make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor on the participation of the City and County of San Francisco in publicizing and representing the concerns of immigrants in San Francisco within regional and national efforts to protect the rights of immigrants.
(e) Progress Review. The Commission shall submit a progress report on the execution of its duties to the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor 18 months after the date of adoption of this ordinance. The provisions of this ordinance shall remain in effect unless upon review of the progress report the Board of Supervisors modifies or terminates the Commission.
(Added by Ord. 211-97, App. 6/6/97)