(a) For purposes of this section, “independent ombudsperson services” includes (1) the receipt of complaints by the ombudsperson from persons detained in juvenile detention centers and correctional facilities where persons ages seventeen years and under are detained and the parent or guardian of any such person regarding decisions, actions and omissions, policies, procedures, rules and regulations of the center or facility, (2) touring each such center or facility, (3) investigating such complaints, rendering a decision on the merits of each complaint and communicating the decision to the complainant, (4) recommending to the head of the agency that operates or oversees such center or facility a resolution of any complaint found to have merit, and (5) recommending policy revisions to the head of such center or facility.
(b) The Commissioner of Correction and the executive director of the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Department shall ensure that independent ombudsperson services are provided and available at any juvenile detention center or correctional facility where persons ages seventeen years and under are detained that any such agency operates or oversees.
(P.A. 19-187, S. 7.)
History: P.A. 19-187 effective July 1, 2020.