CHILDREN'S OMBUDSMAN H.B. 6440 (H-2): COMMITTEE SUMMARY
House Bill 6440 (Substitute H-2 as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative David Law
House Committee: Family and Children Services
Senate Committee: Families and Human Services
Date Completed: 12-5-06
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Children Ombudsman Act to transfer the Office of the Children's Ombudsman to the Legislative Council as an autonomous entity, effective October 1, 2007.
Currently, the Office of the Children's Ombudsman is an autonomous entity within the Department of Management and Budget.
Under the Act, the Governor must appoint an individual as the ombudsman with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Governor also may remove the ombudsman from office for cause, including incompetence, official misconduct, habitual or willful neglect of duty, or other reasons. The Governor must report the reason for removal to the Legislature.
Under the bill, the Legislative Council, rather than the Governor, would have the authority to take those actions.
MCL 722.923 Legislative Analyst: Curtis Walker
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Joe Carrasco
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. hb6440/0506