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Committee returns RS 32‑602, which would repeal the Department of Health and Welfare ombudsman position, to sponsor after members raise concerns
Summary
Representative Joe Alfieri introduced RS 32‑602 to repeal the ombudsman position in the Department of Health and Welfare; several committee members, including Representative Boyle, expressed concern that the ombudsman served foster parents and vulnerable children. A substitute motion to return the RS to the sponsor was adopted.
Representative Joe Alfieri briefly described RS 32‑602 as a statutory repeal that would eliminate the previously established Ombudsman position in the Department of Health and Welfare. Alfieri said the position had been unfunded in the last budget and that the RS aligns statute with current budget practice.
Several committee members challenged that account. Representative Boyle said the ombudsman had been intended as a place foster parents could go when they had problems with social workers and gave examples of troubling testimony presented previously to the committee. Boyle said eliminating the position would remove a resource for foster parents raising safety concerns.
Representative Crane and others asked the sponsor to gather more information and signaled they would not schedule a full hearing until outstanding concerns were addressed. Committee members noted conflicting information about whether the ombudsman had actually been funded last year: Representative Boyle said she received a text from Alex Adams, Director of Health and Welfare, indicating the position had been funded last year; the sponsor said his information had been that it was unfunded and that he would investigate further.
Representative Mickelson proposed a substitute motion to return RS 32‑602 to the sponsor. The committee voted to return the RS to the sponsor rather than advancing it; the substitute motion carried by voice vote and RS 32‑602 was returned to the sponsor.
Votes at a glance: Substitute motion to return RS 32‑602 to the sponsor — adopted by committee voice vote.
(Reporting note: committee discussion cited foster‑care examples and conflicting budget information; these points were raised on the record and are included here as discussion context.)
