(a) The board shall establish an ombudsman position to serve as an advocate for the members of the Defined Benefit Program and participants of the Cash Balance Benefit Program. The duties of the ombudsman position shall include reviewing and making recommendations to the chief executive officer regarding complaints by school employees, members, employee organizations, the Legislature, or the public regarding actions of the employees of the system.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that the salary of the position of ombudsman be offset, as much as possible, through savings realized from a reduction in interest payments on delinquent benefits to members, and through a more efficient and improved public relations program.
(Amended by Stats. 1998, Ch. 965, Sec. 31. Effective January 1, 1999.)