SB 16-013 Summary

• Requires the Office of the Child Protection Ombudsman and the Judicial Department to operate under a memorandum of understanding establishing the office's independence, including its own personnel rules and the ombudsman's independent hiring and termination authority.

• The State Court Administrator shall provide limited administrative support to the ombudsman's office in areas including personnel, recruitment, payroll, benefits, budget submission, accounting, and office space/facilities.

• Grants the ombudsman authority to review and renegotiate the memorandum of understanding with the Judicial Department, act as signatory for the office, and ensure accountability in operating policies and procedures.

• Requires the ombudsman to provide quarterly updates to the advisory board on office activities and to distribute annual reports to the governor, chief justice, board, and general assembly.

• Changes state auditor review authority from a mandatory audit at the beginning of the third year of operation to audits at the discretion of the legislative audit committee.