HB 4638 Summary

• Renames the "Children's Ombudsman" office to the "Office of the Child Advocate" and updates all related terminology throughout the statute.

• Expands the child advocate's jurisdiction to include investigations of residential facilities providing juvenile justice services, in addition to existing authority over child protective services, foster care, and adoption matters.

• Adds judges for juveniles receiving juvenile justice services and the governor as authorized complainants who may file complaints with the child advocate.

• Requires residential facilities to post child advocate contact information in accessible areas and ensure residents have anonymity, privacy, and interview accommodations during investigations.

• Establishes preliminary investigation requirements for child fatalities that occurred while a child was committed to a residential facility, expanding existing fatality investigation mandates.