41-3-1206. (Temporary) Duties. The duties of the ombudsman are to:
     (1) ensure that each child under the jurisdiction of the department, and in appropriate cases an individual interested in the child's welfare, is apprised of the child's rights under the law;
     (2) take all possible action, including but not limited to programs of public education and advocacy, to pursue the legal, civil, and special protections of children;
     (3) help interested parties obtain any information pertaining to the case work and procedures of the department that they are entitled to under the law;
     (4) review complaints and investigate, in accordance with the powers provided for in 41-3-1207 and with procedures adopted and made publicly available by the ombudsman, those complaints that indicate, in the opinion of the ombudsman, that a child might be in need of assistance from the ombudsman;
     (5) investigate, in accordance with the powers provided for in 41-3-1207 and with procedures adopted and made publicly available by the ombudsman, the circumstances relating to the death of any child who has received services from the department;
     (6) when the ombudsman's investigation related to a complaint or a death appears to warrant it, share the relevant findings, subject to the disclosure restrictions and confidentiality requirements provided in 41-3-1207, with individuals or entities that are legally authorized to receive, inspect, or investigate reports of child abuse or neglect;
     (7) periodically review the procedures used by the department with a view toward the rights of children;
     (8) recommend to the department changes in its procedures; and
     (9) annually submit to the attorney general a detailed report analyzing the work of the ombudsman and any recommendations resulting from it. (Terminates June 30, 2015--sec. 12, Ch. 333, L. 2013.)

     History: En. Sec. 6, Ch. 333, L. 2013.