Bill > S2270

This bill establishes and defines the powers and responsibilities of the Office of the Child Advocate, an independent state agency tasked with safeguarding the health, safety, and well-being of children in the Commonwealth. The bill outlines that the Child Advocate, appointed for a five-year term by a majority vote of the Attorney General, State Auditor, and Governor from a list of nominees, will lead this office and oversee its operations. The Office of the Child Advocate is empowered to investigate "critical incidents"—defined as fatalities, near fatalities, or serious injuries to children in the care of or receiving services from the executive office of health and human services or its agencies, or situations where an agency failed to protect a child from imminent risk of serious harm. The bill also details the Child Advocate's authority to receive and investigate complaints from children in state care, examine systemic issues within the child welfare system, and make recommendations for improvement to state government and the public. Furthermore, it establishes a 25-member Child Advocate Advisory Council to provide guidance and sets the Child Advocate's salary, which cannot exceed 90% of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court's salary. The bill also grants the Child Advocate broad access to facilities and records related to children in state care and provides subpoena power for investigations, with provisions for confidentiality and reporting of findings.