The bill establishes the Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsperson within the Department of Corrections, detailing its structure, duties, and selection process. The Ombudsperson, appointed by the Corrections Oversight Committee, will oversee the office responsible for monitoring confinement conditions, providing assistance to incarcerated individuals and their families, and conducting facility inspections. The office is granted the authority to subpoena records, conduct investigations into complaints, and ensure confidentiality and protection against retaliation for complainants. Additionally, the bill creates the Corrections Oversight Committee, composed of diverse members, which will hold public hearings, review findings, and make recommendations to improve the corrections system.

The legislation also mandates the Ombudsperson's office to produce annual reports on various aspects of prison conditions, including confinement, programming, medical care, and incidents of violence. It requires the establishment of online forms and a hotline for confidential complaints and inquiries from incarcerated individuals and their families. Funding provisions stipulate that the office's budget should be between 0.5% and 1% of the Department of Corrections' annual budget, with a recurring appropriation of $1.5 million starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The act aims to enhance accountability and transparency within the correctional system, with protections against retaliation for those seeking assistance, and is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.