HB1462 Summary

• Creates the Children's Mental Health Ombudsman Program within the Office of the Governor to advocate for children with mental health disorders, identify treatment barriers, and investigate complaints against state and government agencies.

• Governor appoints the Ombudsman to establish policies and procedures for filing, investigating, and resolving complaints; grants subpoena power to compel witness testimony and document production.

• Ombudsman must monitor federal, state, and local statutes regarding children's behavioral health services; maintain complaint records; submit quarterly reports to state agencies and annual reports to Governor and General Assembly.

• Prohibits retaliation against persons communicating with the Ombudsman and provides treble damages, costs, and attorney's fees for discriminatory or retaliatory actions.

• Amends Freedom of Information Act to exempt all information and records acquired by the Ombudsman from disclosure; protects confidentiality while permitting limited sharing with Governor, Attorney General, federal prosecutors, and legislative committee chairs for critical incident investigations.