Texas Human Resources Code Title 12, Chapter 261 - Independent Ombudsman

SUBCHAPTER A GENERAL PROVISIONS

• Texas Section 261.001 - Definitions
  In this chapter: (1) "Independent ombudsman" means the individual who has been appointed under this chapter to the office of independent ombudsman. (2) "Office" means...
• Texas Section 261.002 - Establishment; Purpose
  The office of independent ombudsman is a state agency established for the purpose of investigating, evaluating, and securing the rights of the children committed to...

SUBCHAPTER B APPOINTMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF OFFICE

• Texas Section 261.003 - Independence
  (a) The independent ombudsman in the performance of its duties and powers under this chapter acts independently of the department. (b) Funding for the independent...
• Texas Section 261.051 - Appointment Of Independent Ombudsman
  (a) The governor shall appoint the independent ombudsman with the advice and consent of the senate for a term of two years, expiring February 1...
• Texas Section 261.052 - Assistants
  The independent ombudsman may hire assistants to perform, under the direction of the independent ombudsman, the same duties and exercise the same powers as the...
• Texas Section 261.053 - Conflict Of Interest
  (a) A person may not serve as independent ombudsman or as an assistant to the independent ombudsman if the person or the person's spouse: (1)...
• Texas Section 261.054 - Sunset Provision
  The office is subject to review under Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act), but is not abolished under that chapter. The office shall be...
• Texas Section 261.055 - Report
  (a) The independent ombudsman shall submit on a quarterly basis to the board, the governor, the lieutenant governor, the state auditor, and each member of...
• Texas Section 261.056 - Communication And Confidentiality
  (a) The department shall allow any child committed to the department to communicate with the independent ombudsman or an assistant to the ombudsman. The communication:...
• Texas Section 261.057 - Promotion Of Awareness Of Office
  The independent ombudsman shall promote awareness among the public and the children committed to the department of: (1) how the office may be contacted; (2)...
• Texas Section 261.058 - Rulemaking Authority
  (a) The office by rule shall establish policies and procedures for the operations of the office of independent ombudsman. (b) The office and the board...
• Texas Section 261.059 - Authority Of State Auditor
  The office is subject to audit by the state auditor in accordance with Chapter 321, Government Code. Transferred, redesignated and amended from Human Resources Code,...
• Texas Section 261.060 - Review And Format Of Reports
  (a) The office shall accept, both before and after publication, comments from the board concerning the following types of reports published by the office under...

SUBCHAPTER C DUTIES AND POWERS

• Texas Section 261.061 - Complaints
  (a) The office shall maintain a system to promptly and efficiently act on complaints filed with the office that relate to the operations or staff...
• Texas Section 261.101 - Duties And Powers
  (a) The independent ombudsman shall: (1) review the procedures established by the board and evaluate the delivery of services to children to ensure that the...
• Texas Section 261.102 - Treatment Of Department Employees Who Cooperate With Independent Ombudsman
  The department may not discharge or in any manner discriminate or retaliate against an employee who in good faith makes a complaint to the office...
• Texas Section 261.103 - Training
  The independent ombudsman shall attend annual sessions, including the training curriculum for juvenile correctional officers required under Section 242.009, and may participate in other appropriate...

SUBCHAPTER D ACCESS TO INFORMATION

• Texas Section 261.104 - Memorandum Of Understanding
  (a) The office and the department shall enter into a memorandum of understanding concerning: (1) the most efficient manner in which to share information with...
• Texas Section 261.151 - Access To Information Of Governmental Entities
  (a) The independent ombudsman has access to the department's records relating to the children committed to the department. (b) The Department of Public Safety shall...
• Texas Section 261.152 - Access To Information Of Private Entities
  The independent ombudsman shall have access to the records of a private entity that relate to a child committed to the department. Transferred, redesignated and...

Last modified: September 28, 2016