Committee on Children
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-871
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN
Title: AND FAMILIES OMBUDSMAN.
Vote Date: 3/15/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference to Appropriations
PH Date: 2/18/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Committee on Children
REASONS FOR BILL:
To add an ombudsman to the Department of Children and Families to better serve and
protect children in the care and custody of the department.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Ann Adams, Director, Department of Children and Families opposes the bill. This
legislation is unnecessary we already have two departments within DCF that acts as an
ombudsman for children and families. We in the department have already restructured the
Office of the Ombudsman into the Office of Community Relations. OCR serves as an
unbiased, objective body within DCF to identify errors and to engage in transparent
resolutions independently from DCF. Within DCF so the Office of the Child Advocate that
monitors and evaluates public and private agencies that are charged with the protection of
children. OCA has direct access to cases within DCF in real-time and is notified of significant
events at the same time as the Commissioner and senior DCF managers.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
None Submitted
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None Submitted
Reported by: Pam Bianca Date: April 5, 2021
Page 2 of 2 SB-871


Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 1-300