(a) A Policy, Planning and Evaluation Advisory Committee is hereby created within the Department of Labor and Industry. The committee shall consist of any reasonable number of members, to be appointed by the Secretary of Labor and Industry. The appointees must, however, include at least two women who are employed by a private employer within this Commonwealth, two representatives of organized labor, two representatives of Statewide business organizations and two members representing minority ethnic groups. The appointments may be made in any combination.

(b) The Secretary of Labor and Industry shall appoint subcommittees which may or may not have overlapping membership with the committee. These subcommittees shall include, but not be limited to, a subcommittee on farm labor, a subcommittee on child labor, a subcommittee on industrial homework and a subcommittee on women and minorities in the workforce.

(c) The committee shall have the power to advise the department on all issues and regulations within the department's jurisdiction. The committee shall also be specifically responsible for advising the department on those topics previously assigned to the Industrial Board, including farm labor, child labor, industrial homework and women in the workforce, as well as on plans to regularize or improve employment opportunities.

(d) The committee may consider, study and investigate the work of the department and issue reports, and may request the department to investigate or survey any subject within the department's jurisdiction. The committee may also study any issue area relevant to the department's jurisdiction and make reports.

(e) The director of the Office of Policy, Planning and Evaluation within the department shall serve as executive director of the committee. The executive director shall be responsible for providing the committee with such materials and information as may be necessary for the conduct of the committee's business.

(f) Committee and subcommittee members shall receive the amount of reasonable traveling, hotel and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with Commonwealth regulations.