Protecting Virginia's Youth: Establishing a Children's Ombudsman Office

Efforts from across Virginia to give our Commonwealth's vulnerable children a voice culminated on March 8, 2008, as legislation approving the creation of a Children's Ombudsman Office passed both houses of the Virginia legislature. Senate Bill 315, introduced by Senator John S. Edwards and co-sponsored by Senator R. Edward Houck,' passed the Senate with only one dissenting vote and received unanimous treatment in the House. House Bill 1131, introduced by Delegate William H. Fralin, Jr. and co-sponsored by Delegate Robert H. Brink, was approved unanimously in both chambers. These identical bills seek to give a voice to the 9,269 vulnerable children in the custody of the Commonwealth of Virginia.