Section 11: Examination of systemwide responses to child abuse and neglect
Section 11. The child advocate, in consultation with the advisory council, may from time to time, examine systemwide responses to child abuse and neglect, including related mental health, substance use and domestic violence issues, and shall file a report on any such examination with the governor, the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the senate and house committees on ways and means and the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities. The child advocate's examination may include, without limitation, racial disproportionality and disparity, truancy and runaways, mandated reporting, screening of child abuse and neglect reports, social worker qualifications and caseloads, law enforcement involvement, health service needs, including behavioral health needs, of children at risk, criminal offender record information reviews, administrative and cost requirements, federal funding for child welfare purposes and the effectiveness of child abuse laws. The child advocate may seek advice broadly from individuals with expertise in child welfare in preparing a report under this section.