The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1368, aims to amend the existing statute concerning the Office of the Child Advocate by making several technical changes. Key provisions include granting the Child Advocate the authority to access necessary records for fulfilling their responsibilities, with a requirement that these records be provided within fourteen days of a request. If access is denied, the Child Advocate can issue subpoenas to obtain the records. Additionally, the bill allows the Child Advocate to communicate confidentially with children or individuals receiving state services, ensuring that such communications are protected from disclosure.

The bill also updates the language to reflect a more gender-neutral approach by replacing references to "his" with "the Child Advocate's." Furthermore, it establishes a child advocate account within the General Fund to manage funds received from various sources, which can be utilized by the Child Advocate in their duties. The changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and are intended to enhance the operational capacity of the Child Advocate while ensuring the confidentiality and rights of the children served.

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Raised Bill: