Introduced
by
To establish a state child advocate office, and eliminate the children's ombudsman office. The child advocate would be an attorney appointed to a five-year term by the governor from a list recommended by a bipartisan board, and would be granted increased authority to "protect the rights and welfare" of children subject to jurisdiction of the state. Among other substantive changes, the bill would allow any individual to make a complaint to the child advocate, rather than just parents, certain relatives, or a legislator. In cases of abuse or neglect the child advocate could access or subpoena all records and reports necessary to carry out his or her duties, including those otherwise made confidential by law, such as medical records, medical examiner records, mental health records, school records, etc. All information obtained or gathered would be confidential and exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, a court subpoena, or the discovery process in a legal proceeding. However, information about a child could be released if the child advocate office considers the release to be "in the public interest," or the interest of the child.
Referred to the Committee on Families and Childrens Services
Substitute offered
To replace the previous version of the bill with a version recommended by the committee which reported it, but since superceded by the addition of other minor wording changes which do not affect the substance of the bill as previously described.
The substitute failed by voice vote
Substitute offered
by
To replace the previous version of the bill with a version recommended by the committee which reported it. The substitute incorporates technical changes resulting from committee testimony and deliberation. These changes do not affect the substance of the bill as previously described.
The substitute passed by voice vote
Passed in the House 88 to 13 (details)
Referred to the Committee on Families, Mental Health, and Human Services
