Bill > HB5921

This bill expands the powers and duties of the Office of the Legislative Corrections Ombudsman, which acts as an independent reviewer of administrative actions within the Department of Corrections. Specifically, it broadens who can file a complaint to include prisoner advocates and family members, and clarifies that the ombudsman must notify complainants and affected prisoners when a complaint is received and being investigated, or if it is declined with reasons. The bill also mandates that before criticizing the department or an individual, the ombudsman must consult with them and include their defense or mitigation statement in any published opinion, with specific timelines for responses and notification to complainants about actions taken. Furthermore, it requires the ombudsman to make annual and monthly reports available online, detailing complaint statistics by facility and subject matter, significant investigations, recommendations made to the department, and the department's responses. The bill also strengthens protections against retaliation for prisoners, advocates, family members, and department employees who cooperate with the ombudsman's investigations, and clarifies that the ombudsman's authority supplements, rather than replaces, existing remedies or appeal processes. This legislation is contingent on the enactment of another bill, HB 5920 of the 103rd Legislature.