Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Virginia SB125: An Act to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-438 through 2.2-444, 2.2-446, and 2.2-447 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Office of the Children's Ombudsman; powers and duties; report; recommendations.
Status: Chaptered, April 22, 2026
Office of the Children's Ombudsman; powers and duties; report; recommendations. Makes a number of changes to the Office of the Children's Ombudsman (the Office). The bill expands the Office's access to certain records and reports and allows the Office to report certain complaints to the Office of the Inspector General. Under the bill, the Office is required to report findings and recommendations related to failures by state agencies to protect children to the Governor or General Assembly upon request. Under current law, such reports are made to the General Assembly. The bill makes certain changes to the Office's reporting and recommendation requirements. Finally, the bill adds and amends several definitions related to the Office.
What the bill says
An Act to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-438 through 2.2-444, 2.2-446, and 2.2-447 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Office of the Children's Ombudsman; powers and duties; report; recommendations. [S 125] Approved April 22, 2026 1. That §§ 2.2-438 through 2.2-444, 2.2-446, and 2.2-447 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows: § 2.2-438. Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context requires another meaning: "Abused or neglected child" means the same as that term is defined in § 63.2-100. "Administrative act" includes an action, omission, decision, recommendation, pr.
From the enrolled text, April 22, 2026:
An Act to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-438 through 2.2-444, 2.2-446, and 2.2-447 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Office of the Children's Ombudsman; powers and duties; report; recommendations. [S 125] Approved April 22, 2026 1. That §§ 2.2-438 through 2.2-444, 2.2-446, and 2.2-447 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows: § 2.2-438. Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context requires another meaning: "Abused or neglected child" means the same as that term is defined in § 63.2-100. "Administrative act" includes an action, omission, decision, recommendation, practice, or other procedure of the Department, a local department, a children's residential facility, or a child-placing agency with respect to a particular child related to agency placement adoption, foster care, or child protective services. "Agency placement adoption" means adoptions facilitated by child-placing agencies or local boards pursuant to Article 2 (§ 63.2-1221 et seq.) of Chapter 12 of Title 63.2. "Central registry" means the system maintained at the Department of Social Services pursuant to § 63.2-1515. "Child" means an individual who is (i) younger than the age of 18 or (ii) for purposes of the Fostering Futures program established pursuant to Article 2 (§ 63.2-917 et seq.) of Chapter 9 of Title 63.2, younger than the age of 21 and meets the eligibility criteria set forth …