(a)  The department may establish a child care advocate program. Each regional office, as well as the central office of the department, may have an advocate who has knowledge of state child care laws, regulations, and programs. The advocate’s duties shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(1)  Providing information to the general public and parents on child care licensing standards and regulations.

(2)  Serving as a liaison to local business, community, law enforcement, labor, and education groups, as well as child care providers and consumers, for the purpose of providing information about licensing standards and regulations.

(3)  Disseminating information on the state’s licensing role and activities, child care resource and referral agencies, and other child care programs.

(4)  Acting as a liaison to child care resource and referral agencies to provide current information on licensing regulations, procedures, violations, revocations, and activities.

(5)  Investigating and seeking to resolve complaints and concerns communicated on behalf of children served by a child day care facility. Complaints shall be handled in an objective manner to ascertain the pertinent facts. The ombudsman may refer any complaint to the appropriate state or local government agency.

(b)  The advocate shall have access to child day care facilities and shall have the authority to speak with children and staff.

(c)  The department shall report to the Legislature and the Governor, on December 31, 1985, and annually thereafter, the number of complaints resolved and referred and any related followup activities, and the number of facilities visited pursuant to subdivision (a).

(d)  The department shall implement this section during periods that Section 1596.872b is not being implemented in accordance with Section 18285.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 229, Sec. 10. Effective August 16, 2004.)