Allowing Foster Care Ombudsman access to child protective records

SB 83 amends West Virginia law to grant the Foster Care Ombudsman (or their designee) access to confidential child abuse, neglect, and fatality/near-fatality records when acting in their official duties. This directly affects the Ombudsman's office, enabling them to review records previously restricted to other entities like courts or child fatality review teams. The key provision adds the Ombudsman to the list of authorized recipients under §49-5-101, allowing access to records related to child abuse/neglect cases and fatalities without requiring court orders. The bill maintains existing confidentiality protections, ensuring reporter identities remain shielded except when shared specifically with the Ombudsman.