523-l. Independent review board. The independent review board shall consist of fifteen members who are not employed by the office and who are knowledgeable in the areas of juvenile justice and youth rights. The members of such board shall be appointed by the commissioner. Each board member shall be appointed for a term of three years, which term may be renewed once. At least one member shall be a former resident or parent of a resident; at least one member shall be a psychologist or other clinician; at least one member shall be an individual knowledgeable of juvenile legal rights matters; at least one member shall be a judge of the family court; and at least one member shall be knowledgeable of the criminal justice system. Members shall be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in the conduct of their duties. The board shall review the office of the ombudsman reports and meet at least bimonthly with the ombudsmen, the director, the commissioner and other appropriate personnel to discuss the reports. The board is an advisory body and has no administrative duties. It shall advise the commissioner on matters pertaining to the office of the ombudsman and on matters related to complaint and grievance resolution. The board shall have the authority to:
1. request the office of the ombudsman and/or the commissioner to conduct investigations;
2. make inquiries at the request of the director or the commissioner, or, on its own motion, into matters affecting the legal rights of youth residing in facilities operated by the office;
3. convene meetings and communicate freely with the ombudsmen and the office of the ombudsman;
4. evaluate the effectiveness of the office of the ombudsman and make necessary inquiries to that end; and
5. visit office facilities and grounds and inspect records of the office pertaining to such facilities. Laws and regulations governing the confidentiality of records must be adhered to, and the general counsel for the office should be notified concerning the records to be inspected. During any such visit to facilities or inspection of records, the board members may speak with youth and facility staff.
Last modified: February 3, 2019