HB 2066 -- Child Protection Information Ombudsman

Co-Sponsors:  Kelley (47), Phillips, Hunter

This bill creates the Office of Child Protection Information in
the Office of the Secretary of State.  In its main provisions,
the bill:

(1)  Requires the Secretary of State to appoint a state ombudsman
to administer the office.  The Secretary of State is prohibited
from exercising authority or control over the state ombudsman or
the office;

(2)  Requires the office to be functionally separate from the
responsibilities of Child Protection Services in the Department
of Social Services;

(3)  Requires the office to establish and implement procedures
for addressing questions and resolving complaints made by persons
who have received or are receiving child protective services;

(4)  Specifies the authority of the office and of representatives
of the office;

(5)  Requires the office to acknowledge questions and complaints,
report findings, and make recommendations;

(6)  Requires the office to analyze and monitor the development
and implementation of federal, state, and local laws and rules
pertaining to child protective services;

(7)  Requires the office to develop and establish statewide
policies and standards for implementing the activities of the
office.  The office is required to publicize its existence,
functions, and procedures pertaining to filing complaints;

(8)  Requires the office to develop programs for volunteers and
regional ombudsman coordinators;

(9)  Establishes a Child Protection Information Advisory
Commission.  The bill specifies the appointment of commission
members, terms of appointment, and duties of the commission;

(10)  Contains provisions pertaining to the confidentiality of
files maintained by the office and the release of information by
the state ombudsman; and

(11)  Specifies when the state ombudsman and representatives of
the office are required to testify in any court in order to
enforce provisions of the bill.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:03 am