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Senate advances bills expanding Child and Family Ombudsman authority and confidentiality rules
Summary
The Senate recommended two related bills advancing the Office of the Child and Family Ombudsman: SB250 (expanding personnel and duties, as amended) and SB251 (confidentiality provisions). SB250 passed as amended 37-13; SB251 passed 49-1 on second reading.
Two linked bills to expand the Office of the Child and Family Ombudsman passed second reading after floor consideration.
Senate Bill 250, sponsored by Senator Lenz, would expand the ombudsman's staff and authorities, including clarifying investigative and reporting duties and forwarding reports of misconduct to the Department of Justice. An amendment from Senator Kirk Carpenter directed that reports of alleged violations of department policies and procedures by child-protection specialists be forwarded to the Department of Justice (or the department) and put that reporting process into statute; the amendment was adopted on a 49-1 vote. Following debate, the motion to recommend SB250 do pass as amended carried 37-13 on second reading.
Senate Bill 251, also sponsored by Senator Lenz and described as related to SB250, defines confidentiality and disclosure exceptions for matters under investigation by the ombudsman's office. The clerk recorded 49 senators voting aye and 1 voting nay on SB251's second-reading recommendation.
Supporters said the changes would give the ombudsman's office more capacity to investigate systemic issues and to work effectively with the Department of Justice when misconduct is alleged. Debate focused on process, confidentiality and placing existing practices into statute. The bills advanced on separate roll calls consistent with the sponsors' motions on second reading.
