37.705. Office established--appointment of child advocate. - Missouri Statutes

Office established--appointment of child advocate.

37.705. 1. There is hereby established within the office ofadministration the "Office of Child Advocate for Children's Protection andServices", for the purpose of assuring that children receive adequateprotection and care from services, programs offered by the department ofsocial services, or the department of mental health, or the juvenile court.The child advocate shall report directly to the commissioner of the officeof administration.

2. The office shall be administered by the child advocate, who shallbe appointed jointly by the governor and the chief justice of the Missourisupreme court with the advice and consent of the senate. The childadvocate shall hold office for a term of six years and shall continue tohold office until a successor has been duly appointed. The advocate shallact independently of the department of social services, the department ofmental health, and the juvenile court in the performance of his or herduties. The office of administration shall provide administrative supportand staff as deemed necessary.

(L. 2004 H.B. 1453)