Bill would create advisory council for Office of Corrections Ombuds; supporters say it will increase transparency

House Bill 1396 would create a statutory advisory council to the Office of the Corrections Ombuds (OCO), supporters told the House Community Safety Committee, arguing the council would increase transparency, restore trust with impacted people and provide weekly stakeholder engagement.

Lena Langer, staff to the committee, summarized the bill. Under the measure, by Dec. 1, 2025 — subject to appropriations — the governor must convene an 11‑member advisory council to help the OCO set priorities and provide annual input. The council would not participate in investigations or receive confidential records; eligible members, including currently incarcerated people, would receive stipends, and the DOC would work with the OCO to develop a payment process for incarcerated council members,…