The bill amends the 1975 PA 46, which established the office of the legislative corrections ombudsman, by updating various sections to enhance the powers and responsibilities of the ombudsman. Key changes include the definition of "complainant" to now include not only prisoners but also family members and prisoner advocates, thereby broadening the scope of who can file complaints. The bill also mandates the creation of a standardized complaint form and requires the ombudsman to notify complainants upon receipt of their complaints. Additionally, it emphasizes the ombudsman's authority to investigate complaints and access necessary records from the Department of Corrections without prior notice.

Further amendments include provisions to protect individuals from retaliation for filing complaints or cooperating with the ombudsman, ensuring that no disciplinary action is taken against employees for communicating with the office. The bill also requires the ombudsman to submit an annual report detailing the complaints received and the department's responses, which must be made available on the ombudsman's website. Overall, these changes aim to improve transparency, accountability, and the effectiveness of the ombudsman in addressing issues within the corrections system.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 4.351