2003 House Bill 4096 ↩

Senate Roll Call 904: Passed

To expand the duties of the state’s children's ombudsman regarding oversight of children under the supervision of the Family Independence Agency (FIA) and other private child placing agencies. In addition to its current duties, the office would be charged with effecting changes in policy, procedures, and legislation; educating the public; and investigating and reviewing actions of state agencies or entities receiving state funding. Any individual would be allowed to file a complaint. The ombudsman would have expanded authority and powers to investigate actions of the FIA or child placing agencies in cases of child abuse and child neglect (but not direct subpoena power. Information collected on a case would be exempt from the Freedom of Information Act, but could be released to certain specified authorities, including legislative oversight committees.