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New Health and Social Services Ombudsman briefs Joint Finance on staffing, scope
Summary
Committee heard the new Office of Health and Social Services Ombudsman is staffed with three positions, received an initial general‑fund appropriation and the governor supports a supplemental personnel request to raise hiring salaries; the ombudsman described investigative scope and plans to use citizen review panels.
The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee on Jan. 15 received an introduction to the newly created Office of Health and Social Services Ombudsman and its FY2026 budget request to increase personnel dollars for recruitment and retention.
Alex Williamson, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, explained the office was established by Senate Bill 1380 and is charged with monitoring and evaluating compliance by public and private agencies providing health and social services to children in state custody (the foster care system). The office is organized with three full‑time positions and was appropriated $470,000 in FY2025, largely from the general fund;…
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