Substitute House Bill No. 6183, also known as Public Act No. 25-68, establishes a revised 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, extending the term of the Child Advocate from four to five years. It mandates that the advisory committee submit a list of three to five candidates for the position within sixty days of a vacancy, with the Governor required to designate a candidate within eight weeks. If the Governor does not act, the first-ranked candidate will be automatically referred to the General Assembly for confirmation. Furthermore, the advisory committee is tasked with evaluating the Child Advocate's performance and submitting preliminary and final reports before the end of their term.

The bill also repeals and replaces Section 46a-13r, detailing the composition and responsibilities of the advisory committee, which will now consist of seven members appointed by various legislative leaders and the Governor. The new legal language emphasizes the independence of the Child Advocate from state departments and outlines the appointment process for staff, as well as the requirement for annual reports on the office's activities. Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for the annual evaluation of the Office of the Child Advocate's effectiveness, which must be submitted to the relevant joint standing committees of 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: