2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

25101777D

HOUSE BILL NO. 2187

Offered January 13, 2025

Prefiled January 7, 2025

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-442 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Children's Ombudsman; powers and duties.

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Patron—Freitas

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Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 2.2-442 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 2.2-442. Children's Ombudsman; powers and duties.

In addition to any powers described in this chapter, the Children's Ombudsman has the authority to do all of the following with regard to children for whom a report of abuse or neglect was made, children receiving child-protective services, in foster care, or placed for adoption, and children who may have died as a result of alleged abuse or neglect:

1. Pursue all necessary action, including legal action, to protect the rights and welfare of such children;

2. Pursue legislative advocacy in the best interest of such children;

3. Review policies and procedures relating to any child-serving agency's involvement with such children upon the Ombudsman's own initiative or upon receipt of a complaint and make recommendations for improvement;

4. Initiate investigations of administrative acts of the Department, a local department, a children's residential facility, or a child-placing agency in cases relating to such children upon the Ombudsman's own initiative or upon receipt of a complaint; and

5. Subject to an appropriation of funds, commence and conduct investigations into alleged violations of the rights of a foster parent.