The proposed bill, Substitute Bill No. 5271, mandates that the Office of the Child Advocate hire one or more full-time employees to enhance the evaluation of services provided to children by state agencies and other entities funded by the state. This requirement is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and is aimed at improving oversight and accountability in the delivery of these essential services.

The bill introduces new legal language that establishes this hiring requirement, specifically stating that the Office of the Child Advocate must employ additional staff for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. There are no deletions from current law noted in this bill, as it focuses solely on the insertion of this new provision.