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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 16, 2019 09:59 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Tarah Toohil |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Child Protection Ombudsman (aka Office of the Child Advocate) |
| Colleagues, In the past, many of the members have supported and co-sponsored the creation of a Statewide Child Protection Ombudsman (also referred to as the Office of the Child Advocate) but this legislation has never been signed into law. The tragic abuse and murder of Grace Packer has us looking at where the system fails to protect the very children that it was created to protect. It is clear that parts of the Child Protection System are adequate and result in successes while other areas are grossly dysfunctional and allow tragedies. It is important that we have an independent check and oversight on the current system which would assist us in capturing the children who have been “falling through the cracks” and into terrible abuse and tragic death. The Child Protection Ombudsman would have the power to ensure increased proper reporting of child abuse cases and adequate follow-up until case outcome. The Ombudsman would be able to obtain records and information necessary to properly investigate reported child abuse and take action to protect children. Child advocates, medical professionals and victim service providers statewide have enthusiastically supported this legislation. More than 20 states have such an office. We must do more to protect our children and we must stop doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results. Thank you for your consideration. Former HB 2302 (Petri) 2011-2012 |
Introduced as HB1749