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Senate Advances Bill on Child-Welfare Advocate

Monday, April 5 2010

The Denver Post
April 4th, 2010

A bill that would reform the state's child welfare systemone of 29 recommendations from the Governors Child Welfare Action Committee — will come up for the final Senate vote Monday.

Senate Bill 171 would create an independent ombudsman office where people can report suspected child abuse or other problems in the child protection system.

At least 29 other states have such an office.

If the Senate gives final approval on Monday, the bill will move on to the House. Senators gave initial approval last week.

The timeline is tight.

"We need to get it signed in April," said Sen. Linda Newell, D-Littleton, who crafted the legislation.

Her goal is to start fresh in January 2011, with an ombudsman hired and ready to work.

"We're really pushing it, because every day that goes by another child is in potential danger," she said.