Utah legislation · 2026 General Session
Utah HB383: Department of Health and Human Services Amendments
Status: Signed into law, March 18, 2026
This bill amends provisions of the Health and Humans Services code and related provisions.
What the bill says
An act or omission by the division with respect to a particular child. (c) "Ombudsman" means the child protection ombudsman appointed created under this section. (2) (a) There is created within the department the position of child protection ombudsman. (b) The executive director of the Division of Customer Experience within the department shall: (i) appoint select an ombudsman who has: (A) recognized executive and administrative capacity; and (B) experience in child welfare, and in state laws and policies governing abused, neglected, and dependent children; and (ii) select the ombudsman solely.
From the enrolled text, March 5, 2026:
an act or omission by the division with respect to a particular child. (c) "Ombudsman" means the child protection ombudsman appointed created under this section. (2) (a) There is created within the department the position of child protection ombudsman. (b) The executive director of the Division of Customer Experience within the department shall: (i) appoint select an ombudsman who has: (A) recognized executive and administrative capacity; and (B) experience in child welfare, and in state laws and policies governing abused, neglected, and dependent children; and (ii) select the ombudsman solely with regard to qualifications and fitness to discharge the duties of the ombudsman. (c) The ombudsman shall: (i) serve at the pleasure of the executive director of the department; and (ii) devote full-time to the duties described in this section. (3) The ombudsman shall: (a) unless the ombudsman decides not to investigate the complaint, upon receipt of a complaint, investigate whether an act or omission of the division with respect to a particular child: (i) is contrary to statute, rule, or policy; (ii) places a child's health or safety at risk; (iii) is made without an adequate statement of reason; or (iv) is based on irrelevant, immaterial, or erroneous grounds; (b) notify the complainant and the division of: (i) the ombudsman's decision to investigate or not investigate the complaint; and …