SB 5456 - DIGEST

Declares an intent to establish, in addition to other remedies or rights of appeal of any person under state law, an independent, impartial state office, readily available to the public and accountable to the legislature. The office shall be empowered to investigate the acts of state administrative agencies and to recommend appropriate changes toward the goals of safeguarding the rights of persons and of achieving higher levels of competency, efficiency, and justice in the administration of state laws.

Creates an office within the legislative branch to be known as the citizen advocate.

Requires the office of the citizen advocate to review the powers and duties of the mental health ombudsman, the office of family and children's ombudsman, and the long-term care ombudsman and based on those reviews make certain recommendations to the legislature.

Abolishes the office of the ombudsman for workers of industrial insurance self-insured employers, the office of the education ombudsman, the special education ombudsman program located within the office of the superintendent of public instruction, and the office of the family and children's ombudsman.

Creates the citizen advocate administrative account.