Bill Text: VA HB2187 | 2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Children's Ombudsman; powers and duties.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2025-02-04 - Left in Appropriations [HB2187 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2025-HB2187-Introduced.html
2025 SESSION
INTRODUCED
25101777D
HOUSE BILL NO. 2187
Offered January 8, 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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Committee Referral Pending
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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.
