Sec. 531.9931. DIVISION OF OMBUDSMAN FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE. (a) The division of the ombudsman for children and youth in foster care is created within the office of the ombudsman for the purpose of:

(1) receiving complaints from children and youth in the conservatorship of the department as provided under Section 531.993(a)(1);

(2) informing children and youth in the conservatorship of the department who file a complaint under this subchapter about the result of the ombudsman's investigation of the complaint, including whether the ombudsman was able to substantiate the child's or youth's complaint; and

(3) collaborating with the department to develop an outreach plan for children and youth in the conservatorship of the department to promote awareness of the ombudsman.

(b) If a child or youth in the conservatorship of the department contacts the ombudsman by telephone call to report a complaint under this subchapter, the call shall be transferred directly to a person employed by the division of the ombudsman created under this section.

Text of section effective on September 1, 2017, but only if a specific appropriation is provided as described by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 906 (S.B. 213), Sec. 12, which states: This Act takes effect only if a specific appropriation for the implementation of the Act is provided in a general appropriations act of the 85th Legislature.

Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 906 (S.B. 213), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2017.