44.04.220 - Legislative children's oversight committee.

Legislative children's oversight committee.

(1) There is created the legislative children's oversight committee for the purpose of monitoring and ensuring compliance with administrative acts, relevant statutes, rules, and policies pertaining to family and children services and the placement, supervision, and treatment of children in the state's care or in state-licensed facilities or residences. The committee shall consist of three senators and three representatives from the legislature. The senate members of the committee shall be appointed by the president of the senate. The house members of the committee shall be appointed by the speaker of the house. Not more than two members from each chamber shall be from the same political party. Members shall be appointed before the close of each regular session of the legislature during an odd-numbered year.

     (2) The committee shall have the following powers:

     (a) Selection of its officers and adopt rules for orderly procedure;

     (b) Request investigations by the ombudsman of administrative acts;

     (c) Receive reports of the ombudsman;

     (d)(i) Obtain access to all relevant records in the possession of the ombudsman, except as prohibited by law; and (ii) make recommendations to all branches of government;

     (e) Request legislation;

     (f) Conduct hearings into such matters as it deems necessary.

     (3) Upon receipt of records from the ombudsman, the committee is subject to the same confidentiality restrictions as the ombudsman under RCW 43.06A.050.

[1996 c 131 § 1.]

Notes: Effective date -- 1996 c 131 §§ 1-3: "Sections 1 through 3 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately [March 21, 1996]." [1996 c 131 § 7.]