Virginia Code 2.2-448: Penalty for filing complaint or cooperating in investigation prohibited
Current as of: 2023 | Check for updates
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A. An official, the Department, a local department, a child-serving agency, a children’s residential facility, or a child-placing agency shall not penalize any person for filing a complaint or cooperating with the Ombudsman in investigating a complaint.
Terms Used In Virginia Code 2.2-448
- Child-placing agency: means (i) any person who places children in foster homes, adoptive homes, or independent living arrangements pursuant to § 63. See Virginia Code 2.2-438
- Child-serving agency: means (i) a state agency that provides services to children, including the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Department of Education, the Department of Health, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Social Services, and the Office of Children's Services, and (ii) a local entity that provides services to children and that receives funding from a state agency under clause (i). See Virginia Code 2.2-438
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Department: means the Department of Social Services. See Virginia Code 2.2-438
- Local department: means the local department of social services of any county or city in the Commonwealth. See Virginia Code 2.2-438
- Office: means the Office of the Children's Ombudsman established under § 2. See Virginia Code 2.2-438
- Ombudsman: means the individual appointed to head the Office of the Children's Ombudsman under § 2. See Virginia Code 2.2-438
- Person: includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof. See Virginia Code 1-230
B. An individual, the Department, a local department, a child-serving agency, a children’s residential facility, or a child-placing agency shall not hinder the lawful actions of the Ombudsman or employees of the Ombudsman.
C. A report by the Ombudsman is not subject to prior approval by a person outside of the Office.