The Committee on Health and Human Resources moved to amend the bill on page 1, line 5 by striking, “July 1, 2019” and inserting in lieu thereof, “January 1, 2020”;

And,

On page 2, line 32 by inserting a new subsection (i) to read as follows:

“(i) (1) The Department shall employ an independent foster care ombudsman.

(2) The duties of the ombudsman shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

(A) Advocating for the rights of foster children and parents;

(B) Participating in any procedure to investigate, and resolve complaints filed on behalf of a foster child or parent, relating to action, inaction or decisions of providers of managed care services, or the representatives of such providers, of public agencies, or of social service agencies, which may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare and rights of the foster child or parent;

(C) Monitoring the development and implementation of federal, state and local legislation, regulations and policies with respect to foster care services; and

(D) Establishing and maintaining a statewide uniform reporting system to collect and analyze data relating to complaints for the purpose of identifying and resolving significant problems faced by foster children and parents as a class. The data shall be submitted to the Bureau of Children and Families within the Department of Health and Human Resources on a regular basis.

(3) The ombudsman shall participate in ongoing training programs related to his or her duties or responsibilities.;

And,

On page 30, line 47, after the word, “serves” by striking the period and inserting the following: “or unless a placement out of state is in closer proximity to the child’s family for the necessary care.”