HB 5486 Summary

• Creates the office of the Michigan veterans' facility ombudsman within the legislative council, with an ombudsman appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the council.

• Grants the ombudsman authority to investigate complaints from resident veterans, family members, or legislators regarding administrative acts or conditions at Michigan veterans' facilities that violate law, departmental policy, or pose health and safety issues.

• Authorizes the ombudsman to access all department and facility records without requiring releases, conduct unannounced inspections, hold hearings, and request testimony or evidence relevant to investigations.

• Requires the ombudsman to submit investigation findings and recommendations to the council within 30 days when discovering matters requiring departmental consideration, improper administrative acts, health or safety issues, or other significant concerns.

• Prohibits penalization of resident veterans for filing complaints or cooperating with the ombudsman, requires confidentiality of complainant identities, and exempts ombudsman reports from freedom of information disclosure.