                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

CHILDREN&#8217;S OMBUDSMAN; POWERS AND DUTIES (§ 2.2-442)

In addition to any powers described in this chapter, the Children&#8217;s
Ombudsman has the authority to do all of the following with regard to children
receiving child-protective services, in foster care, or placed for adoption and
children who may have died as a result of alleged abuse or neglect:

1. Pursue all necessary action, including legal action, to protect the rights
and welfare of such children;

2. Pursue legislative advocacy in the best interest of such children;

3. Review policies and procedures relating to any child-serving agency&#8217;s
involvement with such children upon the Ombudsman&#8217;s own initiative or upon
receipt of a complaint and make recommendations for improvement;

4. Initiate investigations of administrative acts of the Department, a local
department, a children&#8217;s residential facility, or a child-placing agency
in cases relating to such children upon the Ombudsman&#8217;s own initiative or
upon receipt of a complaint; and

5. Subject to an appropriation of funds, commence and conduct investigations
into alleged violations of the rights of a foster parent.

HISTORY: 2020, c. 1090; 2023, c. 750; 2024, c. 280.