Creating the positions of an ombudsman assistant for child foster care and a foster care advocate

This bill relates to the creation of the positions of ombudsman assistant for child foster care (ombudsman assistant), and foster care advocate (advocate). The bill requires the state ombudsman to appoint an ombudsman assistant for investigating complaints relating to child foster care. The bill creates the advocate’s position within the department of health and human services’ (HHS) compliance division, and separate from HHS’s family well-being and protection division. The bill requires the advocate to act as a resource to foster parents and lists several duties the advocate must perform to fulfill the purpose of the position. When a person obtains a license to provide child foster care, the bill requires HHS to provide the person with the advocate’s name, telephone number, and internet site, and a brief description of the services the advocate provides. The bill requires HHS to submit proposed legislation to the general assembly on or before December 1, 2025, that codifies and defines the advocate position within HHS. HHS must solicit public input about the proposed legislation prior to submission. The bill requires all materials relating to child foster care that are made available by HHS, or an agent of HHS, to the public to contain information about the advocate and the ombudsman assistant. The information must include the name, telephone number, and internet site of the advocate, and the telephone number and internet site for the state office of ombudsman.