Senate Study Bill 1014 - Introduced SENATE/HOUSE FILE _____ BY (PROPOSED CITIZENS’ AIDE/OMBUDSMAN BILL) A BILL FOR An Act relating to the title of the office of citizens’ aide. 1 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 2 TLSB 1287DP (4) 85 jr/sc
S.F. _____ H.F. _____ Section 1. Section 2.12, unnumbered paragraph 4, Code 2013, 1 is amended to read as follows: 2 There is appropriated out of any funds in the state treasury 3 not otherwise appropriated such sums as may be necessary for 4 the fiscal year budgets of the legislative services agency and 5 the citizens’ aide ombudsman office for salaries, support, 6 maintenance, and miscellaneous purposes to carry out their 7 statutory responsibilities. The legislative services agency 8 and the citizens’ aide ombudsman office shall submit their 9 proposed budgets to the legislative council not later than 10 September 1 of each year. The legislative council shall review 11 and approve the proposed budgets not later than December 1 of 12 each year. The budget approved by the legislative council for 13 each of its statutory legislative agencies shall be transmitted 14 by the legislative council to the department of management on 15 or before December 1 of each year for the fiscal year beginning 16 July 1 of the following year. The department of management 17 shall submit the approved budgets received from the legislative 18 council to the governor for inclusion in the governor’s 19 proposed budget for the succeeding fiscal year. The approved 20 budgets shall also be submitted to the chairpersons of the 21 committees on appropriations. The committees on appropriations 22 may allocate from the funds appropriated by this section 23 the funds contained in the approved budgets, or such other 24 amounts as specified, pursuant to a concurrent resolution to be 25 approved by both houses of the general assembly. The director 26 of the department of administrative services shall issue 27 warrants for salaries, support, maintenance, and miscellaneous 28 purposes upon requisition by the administrative head of each 29 statutory legislative agency. If the legislative council 30 elects to change the approved budget for a legislative agency 31 prior to July 1, the legislative council shall transmit the 32 amount of the budget revision to the department of management 33 prior to July 1 of the fiscal year, however, if the general 34 assembly approved the budget it cannot be changed except 35 -1- LSB 1287DP (4) 85 jr/sc 1/ 15
S.F. _____ H.F. _____ pursuant to a concurrent resolution approved by the general 1 assembly. 2 Sec. 2. Section 2.42, subsection 14, Code 2013, is amended 3 to read as follows: 4 14. To hear and act upon appeals of aggrieved employees of 5 the legislative services agency and the office of the citizens’ 6 aide ombudsman pursuant to rules of procedure established by 7 the council. 8 Sec. 3. Section 2C.2, Code 2013, is amended to read as 9 follows: 10 2C.2 Office established. 11 The office of citizens’ aide ombudsman is established. 12 Sec. 4. Section 2C.3, Code 2013, is amended to read as 13 follows: 14 2C.3 Appointment —— vacancy. 15 1. The citizens’ aide ombudsman shall be appointed by the 16 legislative council with the approval and confirmation of a 17 constitutional majority of the senate and with the approval 18 and confirmation of a constitutional majority of the house of 19 representatives. The legislative council shall fill a vacancy 20 in this office in the same manner as the original appointment. 21 If the appointment or vacancy occurs while the general assembly 22 is not in session, such appointment shall be reported to the 23 senate and the house of representatives within thirty days of 24 their convening at their next regular session for approval and 25 confirmation. 26 2. The citizens’ aide ombudsman shall employ and supervise 27 all employees under the citizens’ aide’s ombudsman’s direction 28 in such positions and at such salaries as shall be authorized 29 by the legislative council. The legislative council shall hear 30 and act upon appeals of aggrieved employees of the office of 31 the citizens’ aide ombudsman . 32 Sec. 5. Section 2C.4, Code 2013, is amended to read as 33 follows: 34 2C.4 Citizen of United States and resident of Iowa. 35 -2- LSB 1287DP (4) 85 jr/sc 2/ 15
S.F. _____ H.F. _____ The citizens’ aide ombudsman shall be a citizen of the 1 United States and a resident of the state of Iowa, and shall 2 be qualified to analyze problems of law, administration , and 3 public policy. 4 Sec. 6. Section 2C.5, Code 2013, is amended to read as 5 follows: 6 2C.5 Term —— removal. 7 The citizens’ aide ombudsman shall hold office for four 8 years from the first day in July of the year of approval by the 9 senate and the house of representatives, and until a successor 10 is appointed by the legislative council, unless the citizens’ 11 aide ombudsman can no longer perform the official duties, or 12 is removed from office. The citizens’ aide ombudsman may at 13 any time be removed from office by constitutional majority vote 14 of the two houses of the general assembly or as provided by 15 chapter 66 . If a vacancy occurs in the office of citizens’ 16 aide ombudsman , the deputy citizens’ aide ombudsman shall act 17 as citizens’ aide ombudsman until the vacancy is filled by the 18 legislative council. 19 Sec. 7. Section 2C.6, Code 2013, is amended to read as 20 follows: 21 2C.6 Deputy —— assistant for penal agencies. 22 1. The citizens’ aide ombudsman shall designate one of the 23 members of the staff as the deputy citizens’ aide ombudsman , 24 with authority to act as citizens’ aide ombudsman when the 25 citizens’ aide ombudsman is absent from the state or becomes 26 disabled. The citizens’ aide ombudsman may delegate to members 27 of the staff any of the citizens’ aide’s authority or duties of 28 the office except the duty of formally making recommendations 29 to agencies or reports to the governor or the general assembly. 30 2. The citizens’ aide ombudsman shall appoint an assistant 31 who shall be primarily responsible for investigating complaints 32 relating to penal or correctional agencies. 33 Sec. 8. Section 2C.7, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2013, is 34 amended to read as follows: 35 -3- LSB 1287DP (4) 85 jr/sc 3/ 15
S.F. _____ H.F. _____ Neither the citizens’ aide ombudsman nor any member of the 1 staff shall: 2 Sec. 9. Section 2C.8, Code 2013, is amended to read as 3 follows: 4 2C.8 Closed files. 5 The citizens’ aide ombudsman may maintain secrecy in respect 6 to all matters including the identities of the complainants or 7 witnesses coming before the citizens’ aide ombudsman , except 8 that the general assembly, any standing committee of the 9 general assembly or the governor may require disclosure of any 10 matter and shall have complete access to the records and files 11 of the citizens’ aide ombudsman . The citizens’ aide ombudsman 12 may conduct private hearings. 13 Sec. 10. Section 2C.9, Code 2013, is amended to read as 14 follows: 15 2C.9 Powers. 16 The citizens’ aide ombudsman may: 17 1. Investigate, on complaint or on the citizens’ aide’s 18 ombudsman’s own motion, any administrative action of any 19 agency, without regard to the finality of the administrative 20 action, except that the citizens’ aide ombudsman shall not 21 investigate the complaint of an employee of an agency in regard 22 to that employee’s employment relationship with the agency 23 except as otherwise provided by this chapter . A communication 24 or receipt of information made pursuant to the powers 25 prescribed in this chapter shall not be considered an ex parte 26 communication as described in the provisions of section 17A.17 . 27 2. Investigate, on complaint or on the citizens’ aide’s 28 ombudsman’s own motion, any administrative action of any person 29 providing child welfare or juvenile justice services under 30 contract with an agency that is subject to investigation by the 31 citizens’ aide ombudsman . The person shall be considered to 32 be an agency for purposes of the citizens’ aide’s ombudsman’s 33 investigation. 34 3. Prescribe the methods by which complaints are to be made, 35 -4- LSB 1287DP (4) 85 jr/sc 4/ 15
S.F. _____ H.F. _____ received, and acted upon; determine the scope and manner of 1 investigations to be made; and, subject to the requirements of 2 this chapter , determine the form, frequency, and distribution 3 of the conclusions and recommendations of the citizens’ aide 4 ombudsman . 5 4. Request and receive from each agency assistance and 6 information as necessary in the performance of the duties of 7 the office. Notwithstanding section 22.7 , pursuant to an 8 investigation the citizens’ aide ombudsman may examine any and 9 all records and documents of any agency unless its custodian 10 demonstrates that the examination would violate federal 11 law or result in the denial of federal funds to the agency. 12 Confidential documents provided to the citizens’ aide ombudsman 13 by other agencies shall continue to maintain their confidential 14 status. The citizens’ aide ombudsman is subject to the same 15 policies and penalties regarding the confidentiality of the 16 document as an employee of the agency. The citizens’ aide 17 ombudsman may enter and inspect premises within any agency’s 18 control and may observe proceedings and attend hearings, with 19 the consent of the interested party, including those held under 20 a provision of confidentiality, conducted by any agency unless 21 the agency demonstrates that the attendance or observation 22 would violate federal law or result in the denial of federal 23 funds to that agency. This subsection does not permit the 24 examination of records or access to hearings and proceedings 25 which are the work product of an attorney under section 22.7, 26 subsection 4 , or which are privileged communications under 27 section 622.10 . 28 5. Issue a subpoena to compel any person to appear, give 29 sworn testimony, or produce documentary or other evidence 30 relevant to a matter under inquiry. The citizens’ aide 31 ombudsman , deputies, and assistants of the citizens’ aide 32 ombudsman may administer oaths to persons giving testimony 33 before them. If a witness either fails or refuses to obey 34 a subpoena issued by the citizens’ aide ombudsman , the 35 -5- LSB 1287DP (4) 85 jr/sc 5/ 15
S.F. _____ H.F. _____ citizens’ aide ombudsman may petition the district court having 1 jurisdiction for an order directing obedience to the subpoena. 2 If the court finds that the subpoena should be obeyed, it shall 3 enter an order requiring obedience to the subpoena, and refusal 4 to obey the court order is subject to punishment for contempt. 5 6. Establish rules relating to the operation, organization, 6 and procedure of the office of the citizens’ aide ombudsman . 7 The rules are exempt from chapter 17A and shall be published in 8 the Iowa administrative code. 9 Sec. 11. Section 2C.10, Code 2013, is amended to read as 10 follows: 11 2C.10 No charge for services. 12 No A monetary charge or other charge shall not be levied upon 13 any person as a prerequisite to presentation of a complaint to 14 the citizens’ aide ombudsman . 15 Sec. 12. Section 2C.11, Code 2013, is amended to read as 16 follows: 17 2C.11 Subjects for investigations. 18 1. An appropriate subject for investigation by the office of 19 the citizens’ aide ombudsman is an administrative action that 20 might be: 21 a. Contrary to law or regulation. 22 b. Unreasonable, unfair, oppressive, or inconsistent with 23 the general course of an agency’s functioning, even though in 24 accordance with law. 25 c. Based on a mistake of law or arbitrary in ascertainments 26 of fact. 27 d. Based on improper motivation or irrelevant consideration. 28 e. Unaccompanied by an adequate statement of reasons. 29 2. The citizens’ aide ombudsman may also be concerned with 30 strengthening procedures and practices which lessen the risk 31 that objectionable administrative actions will occur. 32 Sec. 13. Section 2C.11A, Code 2013, is amended to read as 33 follows: 34 2C.11A Subjects for investigations —— disclosures of 35 -6- LSB 1287DP (4) 85 jr/sc 6/ 15
S.F. _____ H.F. _____ information. 1 The office of citizens’ aide ombudsman shall investigate 2 a complaint filed by an employee who is not a merit system 3 employee or an employee covered by a collective bargaining 4 agreement and who alleges that adverse employment action has 5 been taken against the employee in violation of section 70A.28, 6 subsection 2 . A complaint filed pursuant to this section shall 7 be made within thirty calendar days following the effective 8 date of the adverse employment action. The citizens’ aide 9 ombudsman shall investigate the matter and shall issue findings 10 relative to the complaint in an expeditious manner. 11 Sec. 14. Section 2C.12, Code 2013, is amended to read as 12 follows: 13 2C.12 Complaints investigated. 14 1. The citizens’ aide ombudsman may receive a complaint from 15 any source concerning an administrative action. The citizens’ 16 aide ombudsman shall conduct a suitable investigation into the 17 administrative actions complained of unless the citizens’ aide 18 ombudsman finds substantiating facts that: 19 a. The complainant has available another remedy or channel 20 of complaint which the complainant could reasonably be expected 21 to use. 22 b. The grievance pertains to a matter outside the citizens’ 23 aide ombudsman’s power. 24 c. The complainant has no substantive or procedural interest 25 which is directly affected by the matter complained about. 26 d. The complaint is trivial, frivolous, vexatious, or not 27 made in good faith. 28 e. Other complaints are more worthy of attention. 29 f. The citizens’ aide ombudsman’s resources are insufficient 30 for adequate investigation. 31 g. The complaint has been delayed too long to justify 32 present examination of its merit. 33 2. The citizens’ aide ombudsman may decline to investigate 34 a complaint, but shall not be prohibited from inquiring into 35 -7- LSB 1287DP (4) 85 jr/sc 7/ 15
S.F. _____ H.F. _____ the matter complained about or into related problems at some 1 future time. 2 Sec. 15. Section 2C.13, Code 2013, is amended to read as 3 follows: 4 2C.13 No investigation —— notice to complainant. 5 If the citizens’ aide ombudsman decides not to investigate, 6 the complainant shall be informed of the reasons for 7 the decision. If the citizens’ aide ombudsman decides 8 to investigate, the complainant and the agency shall be 9 notified of the decision. After completing consideration 10 of a complaint, whether or not it has been investigated, 11 the citizens’ aide ombudsman shall without delay inform the 12 complainant of the fact, and if appropriate, shall inform the 13 agency involved. The citizens’ aide ombudsman shall on request 14 of the complainant, and as appropriate, report the status of 15 the investigation to the complainant. 16 Sec. 16. Section 2C.14, Code 2013, is amended to read as 17 follows: 18 2C.14 Institutionalized complainants. 19 A letter to the citizens’ aide ombudsman from a person in 20 a correctional institution, a hospital, or other institution 21 under the control of an agency shall be immediately forwarded, 22 unopened , to the citizens’ aide ombudsman by the institution 23 where the writer of the letter is a resident. A letter from the 24 citizens’ aide ombudsman to such a person shall be immediately 25 delivered, unopened , to the person. 26 Sec. 17. Section 2C.15, Code 2013, is amended to read as 27 follows: 28 2C.15 Reports critical of agency or officer. 29 Before announcing a conclusion or recommendation that 30 criticizes an agency or any officer or employee, the citizens’ 31 aide ombudsman shall consult with that agency, officer , or 32 employee , and shall attach to every report sent or made under 33 the provisions of this chapter a copy of any unedited comments 34 made by or on behalf of the officer, employee, or agency. 35 -8- LSB 1287DP (4) 85 jr/sc 8/ 15
S.F. _____ H.F. _____ Sec. 18. Section 2C.16, Code 2013, is amended to read as 1 follows: 2 2C.16 Recommendations to agency. 3 1. The citizens’ aide ombudsman shall state recommendations 4 to an agency, if, after having considered a complaint and 5 whatever material the citizens’ aide ombudsman deems pertinent, 6 the citizens’ aide ombudsman finds substantiating facts for any 7 of the following: 8 a. A matter should be further considered by the agency. 9 b. An administrative action should be modified or canceled. 10 c. A rule on which an administrative action is based should 11 be altered. 12 d. Reasons should be given for an administrative action. 13 e. Any other action should be taken by the agency. 14 2. If the citizens’ aide ombudsman requests, the agency 15 shall, within twenty working days notify the citizens’ aide 16 ombudsman of any action taken on the recommendations or the 17 reasons for not complying with them. 18 3. If the citizens’ aide ombudsman believes that an 19 administrative action has occurred because of laws of which 20 results are unfair or otherwise objectionable, the citizens’ 21 aide ombudsman shall notify the general assembly concerning 22 desirable statutory change. 23 Sec. 19. Section 2C.17, Code 2013, is amended to read as 24 follows: 25 2C.17 Publication of conclusions. 26 1. The citizens’ aide ombudsman may publish the 27 conclusions, recommendations, and suggestions and transmit 28 them to the governor or the general assembly or any of its 29 committees. When publishing an opinion adverse to an agency or 30 official the citizens’ aide ombudsman shall, unless excused by 31 the agency or official affected, include with the opinion any 32 unedited reply made by the agency. 33 2. Any conclusions, recommendations, and suggestions so 34 published may at the same time be made available to the news 35 -9- LSB 1287DP (4) 85 jr/sc 9/ 15
S.F. _____ H.F. _____ media or others who may be concerned. 1 Sec. 20. Section 2C.18, Code 2013, is amended to read as 2 follows: 3 2C.18 Report to general assembly. 4 The citizens’ aide ombudsman shall by April 1 of each year 5 submit an economically designed and reproduced report to the 6 general assembly and to the governor concerning the exercise 7 of the citizens’ aide ombudsman functions during the preceding 8 calendar year. In discussing matters with which the citizens’ 9 aide ombudsman has been concerned, the citizens’ aide ombudsman 10 shall not identify specific persons if to do so would cause 11 needless hardship. If the annual report criticizes a named 12 agency or official, it shall also include unedited replies made 13 by the agency or official to the criticism, unless excused by 14 the agency or official affected. 15 Sec. 21. Section 2C.19, Code 2013, is amended to read as 16 follows: 17 2C.19 Disciplinary action recommended. 18 If the citizens’ aide ombudsman believes that any public 19 official, employee or other person has acted in a manner 20 warranting criminal or disciplinary proceedings, the citizens’ 21 aide ombudsman shall refer the matter to the appropriate 22 authorities. 23 Sec. 22. Section 2C.20, Code 2013, is amended to read as 24 follows: 25 2C.20 Immunities. 26 No civil action, except removal from office as provided 27 in chapter 66 , or proceeding shall be commenced against the 28 citizens’ aide ombudsman or any member of the staff for any 29 act or omission performed pursuant to the provisions of this 30 chapter unless the act or omission is actuated by malice or 31 is grossly negligent, nor shall the citizens’ aide ombudsman 32 or any member of the staff be compelled to testify in any 33 court with respect to any matter involving the exercise of the 34 citizens’ aide’s ombudsman’s official duties except as may be 35 -10- LSB 1287DP (4) 85 jr/sc 10/ 15
S.F. _____ H.F. _____ necessary to enforce the provisions of this chapter . 1 Sec. 23. Section 2C.21, Code 2013, is amended to read as 2 follows: 3 2C.21 Witnesses. 4 A person required by the citizens’ aide ombudsman to provide 5 information shall be paid the same fees and travel allowances 6 as are extended to witnesses whose attendance has been required 7 in the district courts of this state. Officers and employees 8 of an agency shall not be entitled to such fees and allowances. 9 A person who, with or without service of compulsory process, 10 provides oral or documentary information requested by the 11 citizens’ aide ombudsman shall be accorded the same privileges 12 and immunities as are extended to witnesses in the courts of 13 this state, and shall also be entitled to be accompanied and 14 advised by counsel while being questioned. 15 Sec. 24. Section 2C.22, Code 2013, is amended to read as 16 follows: 17 2C.22 Penalties. 18 A person who willfully obstructs or hinders the lawful 19 actions of the citizens’ aide ombudsman or the citizens’ aide’s 20 ombudsman’s staff, or who willfully misleads or attempts to 21 mislead the citizens’ aide ombudsman in the citizens’ aide’s 22 ombudsman’s inquiries, shall be guilty of a simple misdemeanor. 23 Sec. 25. Section 2C.23, Code 2013, is amended to read as 24 follows: 25 2C.23 Citation. 26 This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Iowa 27 Citizens’ Aide Ombudsman Act” . 28 Sec. 26. Section 8F.3, subsection 1, paragraph d, Code 2013, 29 is amended to read as follows: 30 d. Information regarding any policies adopted by the 31 governing body of the recipient entity that prohibit taking 32 adverse employment action against employees of the recipient 33 entity who disclose information about a service contract to 34 the oversight agency, the auditor of state, the office of the 35 -11- LSB 1287DP (4) 85 jr/sc 11/ 15
S.F. _____ H.F. _____ attorney general, or the office of citizens’ aide ombudsman and 1 that state whether those policies are substantially similar 2 to the protection provided to state employees under section 3 70A.28 . The information provided shall state whether employees 4 of the recipient entity are informed on a regular basis of 5 their rights to disclose information to the oversight agency, 6 the office of citizens’ aide ombudsman , the auditor of state, 7 or the office of the attorney general and the telephone numbers 8 of those organizations. 9 Sec. 27. Section 23A.4, Code 2013, is amended to read as 10 follows: 11 23A.4 Relief for aggrieved persons. 12 1. Any aggrieved person may, after pursuing remedies 13 offered by chapter 17A , seek injunctive relief for violations 14 of this chapter by filing an action in the district court for 15 the county in which the aggrieved business is located. 16 2. A state agency or political subdivision found to be in 17 violation of this chapter shall be assessed and shall pay to 18 the aggrieved person fees and other expenses, as defined in 19 section 625.28 . 20 3. Chapter 17A and this section are the exclusive remedy 21 for violations of this chapter . However, the office of the 22 citizens’ aide ombudsman may review violations of this chapter 23 and make recommendations as provided in chapter 2C . 24 Sec. 28. Section 70A.28, subsections 2, 6, and 8, Code 2013, 25 are amended to read as follows: 26 2. A person shall not discharge an employee from or take 27 or fail to take action regarding an employee’s appointment or 28 proposed appointment to, promotion or proposed promotion to, 29 or any advantage in, a position in a state employment system 30 administered by, or subject to approval of, a state agency as a 31 reprisal for a failure by that employee to inform the person 32 that the employee made a disclosure of information permitted 33 by this section , or for a disclosure of any information by 34 that employee to a member or employee of the general assembly, 35 -12- LSB 1287DP (4) 85 jr/sc 12/ 15
S.F. _____ H.F. _____ a disclosure of information to the office of citizens’ aide 1 ombudsman , or a disclosure of information to any other public 2 official or law enforcement agency if the employee reasonably 3 believes the information evidences a violation of law or rule, 4 mismanagement, a gross abuse of funds, an abuse of authority, 5 or a substantial and specific danger to public health or 6 safety. However, an employee may be required to inform the 7 person that the employee made a disclosure of information 8 permitted by this section if the employee represented that 9 the disclosure was the official position of the employee’s 10 immediate supervisor or employer. 11 6. Subsection 2 may also be enforced by an employee through 12 an administrative action pursuant to the requirements of this 13 subsection if the employee is not a merit system employee or 14 an employee covered by a collective bargaining agreement. An 15 employee eligible to pursue an administrative action pursuant 16 to this subsection who is discharged, suspended, demoted, 17 or otherwise receives a reduction in pay and who believes 18 the adverse employment action was taken as a result of the 19 employee’s disclosure of information that was authorized 20 pursuant to subsection 2 , may file an appeal of the adverse 21 employment action with the public employment relations 22 board within thirty calendar days following the later of the 23 effective date of the action or the date a finding is issued 24 to the employee by the office of the citizens’ aide ombudsman 25 pursuant to section 2C.11A . The findings issued by the 26 citizens’ aide ombudsman may be introduced as evidence before 27 the public employment relations board. The employee has the 28 right to a hearing closed to the public, but may request a 29 public hearing. The hearing shall otherwise be conducted in 30 accordance with the rules of the public employment relations 31 board and the Iowa administrative procedure Act, chapter 17A . 32 If the public employment relations board finds that the action 33 taken in regard to the employee was in violation of subsection 34 2 , the employee may be reinstated without loss of pay or 35 -13- LSB 1287DP (4) 85 jr/sc 13/ 15
S.F. _____ H.F. _____ benefits for the elapsed period, or the public employment 1 relations board may provide other appropriate remedies. 2 Decisions by the public employment relations board constitute 3 final agency action. 4 8. The director of the department of administrative 5 services or, for employees of the general assembly or of the 6 state board of regents, the legislative council or the state 7 board of regents, respectively, shall provide procedures for 8 notifying new state employees of the provisions of this section 9 and shall periodically conduct promotional campaigns to provide 10 similar information to state employees. The information shall 11 include the toll-free telephone number of the citizens’ aide 12 ombudsman . 13 Sec. 29. Section 217.3A, subsection 3, paragraph a, 14 subparagraph (1), Code 2013, is amended to read as follows: 15 (1) Members of the advisory committee shall include at least 16 one district judge and representatives of custodial parent 17 groups, noncustodial parent groups, the general assembly, 18 the office of citizens’ aide ombudsman , the Iowa state bar 19 association, the Iowa county attorneys association, and 20 other constituencies which have an interest in child support 21 enforcement issues, appointed by the respective entity. 22 Sec. 30. Section 236.16, subsection 1, paragraph c, Code 23 2013, is amended to read as follows: 24 c. Designate and award moneys for publicizing and staffing 25 a statewide, toll-free telephone hotline for use by victims 26 of domestic abuse. The department may award a grant to a 27 public agency or a private, nonprofit organization for the 28 purpose of operating the hotline. The operation of the 29 hotline shall include informing victims of their rights and 30 of various community services that are available, referring 31 victims to service providers, receiving complaints concerning 32 misconduct by peace officers and encouraging victims to refer 33 such complaints to the office of citizens’ aide ombudsman , 34 providing counseling services to victims over the telephone, 35 -14- LSB 1287DP (4) 85 jr/sc 14/ 15
S.F. _____ H.F. _____ and providing domestic abuse victim advocacy. 1 EXPLANATION 2 This bill changes the title of the office of citizens’ aide 3 to the office of ombudsman. The office is established in Code 4 chapter 2C. 5 -15- LSB 1287DP (4) 85 jr/sc 15/ 15