Substitute House Bill No. 6183, also known as Public Act No. 25-68, establishes a new framework for appointing 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 advisory committee's structure and responsibilities under the new Section 46a-13r. The committee will consist of seven members appointed by various legislative leaders and the Governor, responsible for evaluating the Child Advocate's performance through preliminary and final reports submitted to the Governor and relevant legislative committees. These reports will assess the Advocate's work and recommend reappointment or the appointment of a new Child Advocate. Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the independence of the Child Advocate from state departments and mandates annual evaluations of the office's effectiveness, which must be submitted to the General Assembly and published on the Child Advocate's website, ensuring transparency and accountability in its operations.

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