Legislature: legislative agencies; office of legislative corrections ombudsman; expand powers and duties. Amends secs. 7, 11, 12, 13 & 14 of 1975 PA 46 (MCL 4.357 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5920'26

This bill expands the powers and duties of Michigan's Office of the Legislative Corrections Ombudsman, which handles complaints from prisoners, their advocates, and legislators regarding conditions in state correctional facilities. Key changes require the ombudsman to notify complainants and affected prisoners when investigating or declining to investigate complaints, and mandate that the office consult with the Department of Corrections before issuing any report that criticizes the department or its staff. The legislation also establishes strict reporting requirements, forcing the ombudsman to publish detailed monthly and annual reports on complaint statistics and department responses, while adding protections to ensure that individuals cannot be penalized for filing complaints or cooperating with the ombudsman. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the ombudsman's authority operates alongside, rather than replacing, existing legal remedies and appeal processes for prisoners.