DEATH REVIEW: OMBUDSMAN'S REPORT S.B. 1071: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
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Senate Bill 1071 (as introduced 1-20-10)
Sponsor: Senator Mike Nofs
Committee: Families and Human Services


Date Completed: 1-25-10

CONTENT The bill would amend the Children's Ombudsman Act to permit the Ombudsman to provide to the Legislative Child Fatality Examiner a copy of his or her report on suspected abuse or neglect of a child, with all confidential information redacted, for the purpose of a review of a child's death.
The Children's Ombudsman Act authorizes the Ombudsman to pursue all necessary action to protect the rights and welfare of a child under the jurisdiction of the Department of Human Services, the Michigan Children's Institute, the family court, a child caring institution, or a child placing agency. The Ombudsman has the authority to investigate administrative acts in relation to such a child who may be a victim of child abuse or neglect, either upon receiving a complaint or on his or her own initiative. The Ombudsman must prepare a report of the factual findings of the investigation and make recommendations to the Department of Human Services or the child placing agency.


Under the bill, the Ombudsman could provide to the Legislative Child Fatality Examiner a copy of that report, with all confidential information redacted, for the purpose of a review of a child's death under the proposed Child Fatality Review Act.


The bill is tie-barred to Senate Bill 259 or House Bill 5702. (Each of those bills would create the "Legislative Child Fatality Review Act" to establish the Office of the Legislative Child Fatality Examiner for the purpose of identifying specific causes and systemic problems that contribute to the deaths of children in foster care.)


MCL 722.930 Legislative Analyst: Curtis Walker

FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Fiscal Analyst: David Fosdick

Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb1071/0910