1. (a) In this section, “Board” means the Correctional Ombudsman Advisory Board.
2. (b) There is a Correctional Ombudsman Advisory Board.

3. (c) The purposes of the Board are to:

   1. (1) provide information to the Office; and

   2. (2) assist the Office in:

      1. (i) identifying appropriate matters to investigate; and
      2. (ii) developing processes by which complaints are submitted, reviewed, investigated, and resolved.
4. (d) The Board shall consist of 12 members appointed by the Governor.

5. (e) To the extent practicable, the Governor shall ensure that the membership of the Board includes:

   1. (1) family members of confined individuals;
   2. (2) returning citizens;
   3. (3) nonsupervisory correctional officers;
   4. (4) members of the public with a demonstrated interest in corrections;
   5. (5) individuals with backgrounds in health care and social work;
   6. (6) individuals with backgrounds in mental health care and substance use disorder treatment; and
   7. (7) at least two individuals with experience managing a large government agency.

6. (f)

   1. (1) The Board may not include more than three members who are current or former employees of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
   2. (2) No member of the Board may be currently employed by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services in a supervisory capacity.
7. (g) A member of the Board serves at the pleasure of the Governor.
8. (h) The Office shall provide staff for the Board.

Added by Acts 2024, c. 836, § 2, eff. July 1, 2024.