By Mr. Atsalis of Barnstable, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 70) of Demetrius J. Atsalis and Cleon H. Turner relative to establishing an office of the family and children's ombudsman.  Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Demetrius J. Atsalis

Cleon H. Turner

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act establishing an office of family and children's ombudsman.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1.  Chapter 6 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2004

Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following section:—

Section 214. There is hereby established an office of the family and children’s

ombudsman under the exclusive supervision and control of a director who shall be

appointed by the secretary of health and human services with the approval of the

governor. The purpose of the office is to provide an independent voice for families and

children who have been placed under the supervision of the department of social services.

            The position of director shall be classified in accordance with section 45 of

chapter 30, and the salary shall be determined in accordance with section 46C of said

chapter 30. The director shall devote full time during business hours to the duties of the

office. The director shall be authorized, subject to appropriation, to appoint and may

remove such assistant directors and such other employees and consultants as may be

necessary to perform the functions of the office set forth in section 207. The provisions of

chapter 31 shall not apply to the director, to such assistant directors as the director may

appoint, or to such supervisory positions as the director may create.

            The office shall have the following powers: (a) provide an independent resource

for families and children to seek redress of grievances with the department; (b) monitor

the department’s compliance with existing laws, policies and procedures; (c) propose

amendments and improvement of existing laws, policies and procedures to promote

family preservation and reunification and children’s safety, well-being and permanency;

(d) serve as liaison among consumers, the department, the general court, the governor and

the children’s bureau; (e) identify and articulate to the general court, governor, public

agencies and the public the needs of these families and children; (f) provide public

information relative to laws and services affecting the families and children; (g) oversee

the accuracy and timeliness of the department’s reporting of data with regard to those

children, and investigate consumer complaints and recommend to appropriate authorities

solutions.