2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26103666D

SENATE BILL NO. 485

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 13, 2026

A BILL to direct the Virginia Commission on Youth and the Office of the Children's Ombudsman to convene a work group to study extending the oversight of the Office of the Children's Ombudsman to include committed juveniles; report.

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Patron—Marsden

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Referred to Committee on Education and Health

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. That the Virginia Commission on Youth, in coordination with the Office of the Children's Ombudsman, shall convene a work group to determine the changes necessary to extend the purview of the Office of the Children's Ombudsman to include overseeing juveniles who are committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice. The work group shall be composed of representatives from the Department of Juvenile Justice, court service units, juvenile detention centers, juvenile and domestic relations district court judges, attorneys for the Commonwealth, public defenders, guardians ad litem, juvenile justice advocacy groups, and other relevant state, local, or community organizations. The work group shall examine the current functions and duties of the Office of the Children's Ombudsman and what organizational changes shall be necessary to extend the Office's oversight to include juveniles committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice, including legislative amendments and additional staffing or resource requirements. The work group shall submit a report with its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by November 1, 2026.