Legislatively Door Slams Shut on Indiana Abused Children

[GWENNIE J]

Legislatively Door Slams Shut on Indiana Abused Children


Those who want to see Indiana employ an independent ombudsman to deal with the state on behalf of imperiled children and troubled families were worried that legislation to create that job might be too weak.

It turns out they had more to fear. Stunning advocates of the strongly supported bill, state Sen. Luke Kenley denied it a vote in the Appropriations Committee, which he chairs, effectively killing it for this session of the General Assembly.

None of his explanations makes sense. Cost is one. But the estimated $500,000

expense of the ombudsman's office is a pittance alongside the tens of millions

in controversial new spending that the committee approved the same day.

Kenley also said he's not convinced the ombudsman post is needed, or that the

bill as written would meet any need that does exist.

Yet more than 30 states have child services ombudsmen for essentially the same reasons Indiana is experiencing a groundswell for one. As extensive reporting by The Indianapolis Star has shown, we have had too many deaths of children who are wards of the state, too many removals of children from their families and too little information from the Department of Child Services to satisfy the public that the authorities are doing their job.


The ombudsman would investigate deaths, review complaints, inspect confidential records -- and, some say, head off enough lawsuits to pay for himself or herself. At least six other state departments or agencies have ombudsmen. By bolstering credibility, they benefit government, not just its critics. Would this bill do the job?


Here's the irony: As approved by the House, 98-0,

House Bill 1602 bestowed considerably more discretion upon the ombudsman than

did the Senate version, which was largely rewritten by the Department of Child Services itself. Backers of the original legislation accepted that reality and expressed the hope they could restore some of the clout in conference committee. Barring some

unlikely maneuver, Kenley has short- circuited any opportunity to do what he

is implying he wants: hammer out a measure that works.


For legislators, advocates, families and taxpayers who have sincerely worked through the legislative process to give a voice to the powerless, Kenley's decision is an act of repudiation that will long reverberate. As a legislative leader who commands wide respect, he must address the loss of public confidence that inspired House Bill 1602 to begin with. At best, that might mean another year's wait for help that's already unconscionably late.


http://www.indystar.com/article/20090413/OPINION08/904130313/1291/O...

[John Quinn]

That's a terrible thing !!!Can't some politician do something...It won't matter if they stay in office..by the time they're thrown out ..too many children will be torn from there homes and worse..too many child deaths !!..john

[Elizabeth]

I thought the laws are out to protect people, including children. How does this help anyone?

Hasn't any of our politicians ever heard of the tragic story of Kelsey Briggs-Shelton?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWow42TCwzg