VA SB125

Expands the Office of the Children's Ombudsman's jurisdiction to cover children for whom abuse or neglect reports were made, children receiving foster care services, and agency placement adoptions, in addition to existing oversight of child protective services

Grants the Ombudsman authority to make ex parte applications to circuit courts for subpoenas duces tecum to obtain records from the Department of Social Services, local departments, child-placing agencies, children's residential facilities, or any person or entity in the Commonwealth

Removes the "subject to appropriation" limitation on the Ombudsman's power to investigate alleged violations of foster parent rights, making this authority unconditional

Requires the Ombudsman to provide investigation reports to the Commissioner of Social Services and allows publication of reports on the Office's website with confidential information and names redacted

Expands the definition of "child-serving agency" to include agencies that regulate services to children, and authorizes the Ombudsman to refer complaints regarding facilities under the State Inspector General's purview