Substitute House Bill No. 6183, also known as Public Act No. 25-68, establishes a new framework for the appointment of the Child Advocate within the Office of Governmental Accountability, effective July 1, 2025. The bill repeals and replaces Section 46a-13k, stipulating that the Governor, with the General Assembly's approval, will appoint a qualified individual to the position. An amended advisory committee is tasked with providing a list of three to five candidates for the Governor's consideration within sixty days of a vacancy. The appointed Child Advocate will serve a five-year term, with provisions for reappointment and interim leadership by the Associate Child Advocate in case of vacancies.

The bill also modifies the structure and responsibilities of the advisory committee, as outlined in the new Section 46a-13r. The committee will consist of seven members appointed by various legislative leaders and the Governor, and it will evaluate the Child Advocate's performance through preliminary and final reports submitted to the Governor and relevant legislative committees. The final report will include recommendations for reappointment or the appointment of a new Child Advocate, with the Governor required to respond within ninety days. Additionally, the bill mandates the advisory committee to conduct an annual evaluation of the effectiveness of the Office of the Child Advocate, which must be submitted to the relevant joint standing committees of the General Assembly and published on the Child Advocate's website, thereby enhancing accountability and oversight of the office's operations.

Statutes affected:
Committee Bill:
KID Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 154:
File No. 928:
Public Act No. 25-68: