Report Title:

Appropriation; Office of the Children's Ombudsman

Description:

Establishes an office of the children's ombudsman within the office of the ombudsman for administrative purposes; appropriates funds.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1645
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to children.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 96, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Part ii.  oFFICE OF THE CHILDREN'S OMBUDSMAN

§96‑    Office of the children's ombudsman.  (a)  There is established the office of the children's ombudsman in the office of the ombudsman, for administrative purposes only, to investigate any complaint regarding an administrative act of an agency that the children's ombudsman determines to be related to the protection of children's rights.

     (b)  The office of the children's ombudsman shall be headed by the children's ombudsman.

     (c)  The children's ombudsman shall:

     (1)  Be hired by the ombudsman; and

     (2)  Have knowledge of the legal system, the juvenile justice system, the child welfare system, and be qualified by training and experience to perform the responsibilities of this part.

     (d)  In carrying out this part, the children's ombudsman shall have all of the rights, responsibilities, and limitations of the ombudsman pursuant to part I, except that the children's ombudsman may investigate any complaint involving the non-adjudicatory functions of the judiciary."

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 96, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by designating sections 96‑1 to 96‑19, Hawaii Revised Statutes, as part I and adding a title before section 96‑1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to read as follows:

"Part I.  general provisions"

     SECTION 3.  Chapter 96, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§96‑   Children's rights. The ombudsman shall refer any complaint regarding an administrative act of an agency that the ombudsman determines to be related to the protection of children's rights to the children's ombudsman."

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009, to establish an office of the children's ombudsman.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the ombudsman for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 4 shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________