Foster care.

Existing law requires the Office of the State Foster Care Ombudsperson to be established in the State Department of Social Services with prescribed powers and duties relating to the management of foster children, including the dissemination of information on the rights of children and youth in foster care. Existing law requires the Director of Social Services, in consultation with a committee of interested individuals chosen by the director, to appoint the ombudsperson for a term of 4 years. This bill would instead require the Governor, in consultation with a committee of interested individuals, to appoint the ombudsperson, subject to Senate confirmation. The bill would authorize the director to select the committee members, as specified.