
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 29USC780]

 
                             TITLE 29--LABOR
 
 CHAPTER 16--VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND OTHER REHABILITATION SERVICES
 
              SUBCHAPTER IV--NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY
 
Sec. 780. Establishment of National Council on Disability


(a) Membership; purpose

    (1)(A) There is established within the Federal Government a National 
Council on Disability (hereinafter in this subchapter referred to as the 
``National Council''), which shall be composed of fifteen members 
appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the 
Senate.
    (B) The President shall select members of the National Council after 
soliciting recommendations from representatives of--
        (i) organizations representing a broad range of individuals with 
    disabilities; and
        (ii) organizations interested in individuals with disabilities.

    (C) The members of the National Council shall be individuals with 
disabilities, parents or guardians of individuals with disabilities, or 
other individuals who have substantial knowledge or experience relating 
to disability policy or programs. The members of the National Council 
shall be appointed so as to be representative of individuals with 
disabilities, national organizations concerned with individuals with 
disabilities, providers and administrators of services to individuals 
with disabilities, individuals engaged in conducting medical or 
scientific research relating to individuals with disabilities, business 
concerns, and labor organizations. A majority of the members of the 
National Council shall be individuals with disabilities. The members of 
the National Council shall be broadly representative of minority and 
other individuals and groups.
    (2) The purpose of the National Council is to promote policies, 
programs, practices, and procedures that--
        (A) guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with 
    disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of the 
    disability; and
        (B) empower individuals with disabilities to achieve economic 
    self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration 
    into all aspects of society.

(b) Term of office

    (1) Each member of the National Council shall serve for a term of 3 
years, except that the terms of service of the members initially 
appointed after November 6, 1978, shall be (as specified by the 
President) for such fewer number of years as will provide for the 
expiration of terms on a staggered basis.
    (2)(A) No member of the National Council may serve more than two 
consecutive full terms beginning on the date of commencement of the 
first full term on the Council. Members may serve after the expiration 
of their terms until their successors have taken office.
    (B) As used in this paragraph, the term ``full term'' means a term 
of 3 years.
    (3) Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the 
expiration of the term for which such member's predecessor was appointed 
shall be appointed only for the remainder of such term.

(c) Chairperson; meetings

    The President shall designate the Chairperson from among the members 
appointed to the National Council. The National Council shall meet at 
the call of the Chairperson, but not less often than four times each 
year.

(d) Quorum; vacancies

    Eight members of the National Council shall constitute a quorum and 
any vacancy in the National Council shall not affect its power to 
function.

(Pub. L. 93-112, title IV, Sec. 400, as added Pub. L. 105-220, title IV, 
Sec. 407, Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1198.)


                            Prior Provisions

    A prior section 780, Pub. L. 93-112, title IV, Sec. 400, as added 
Pub. L. 95-602, title I, Sec. 117, Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2977; amended 
Pub. L. 98-221, title I, Sec. 141(a), Feb. 22, 1984, 98 Stat. 26; Pub. 
L. 99-506, title I, Sec. 103(d)(2)(C), title V, Sec. 501, title X, 
Sec. 1001(e), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1810, 1828, 1843; Pub. L. 100-
630, title II, Sec. 205(b), Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3310; Pub. L. 102-
569, title I, Sec. 102(p)(26), title IV, Sec. 401, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 
Stat. 4360, 4421, related to establishment of the National Council on 
Disability, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 
105-220.
    Another prior section 780, Pub. L. 93-112, title IV, Sec. 400, Sept. 
26, 1973, 87 Stat. 385, related to general administrative powers of 
Secretary under this chapter, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 95-602, 
Sec. 117.

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in section 781 of this title.
