                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

CHILDREN&#8217;S OMBUDSMAN; ESTABLISHMENT; APPOINTMENT; REMOVAL (§ 2.2-439)

A. There is hereby created the Office of the Children&#8217;s Ombudsman as a
means of effecting changes in policy, procedure, and legislation; educating the
public; investigating and reviewing actions of the Department, local
departments, child-placing agencies, or children&#8217;s residential facilities;
and monitoring and ensuring compliance with relevant statutes, rules, and
policies pertaining to child protective services and the placement, supervision,
and treatment of, and improvement of delivery of care to, children in foster
care and adoptive homes.

B. The Office of the Children&#8217;s Ombudsman shall be headed by the
Children&#8217;s Ombudsman, who shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to
confirmation by the General Assembly. The individual shall be qualified by
training and experience to perform the duties and exercise the powers of the
Children&#8217;s Ombudsman and the Office of the Children&#8217;s Ombudsman as
provided in this chapter.

C. The appointment shall be for a term of four years. The Governor may remove
the Ombudsman for cause in accordance with &#xA7; 2.2-108. Vacancies shall be
filled by appointment by the Governor for the unexpired term.

HISTORY: 2020, c. 1090; 2023, c. 750.