LINCOLN- On Friday, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services filed a 20-page report with the State Legislature detailing site inspections made by DHHS staff of its facilities. The report comes after the State Ombudsman's Office, which had previously conducted the annual inspections, was blocked from doing so after Attorney General Mike Hilgers issued a nonbinding legal opinion arguing against the authority of the Inspectors General for Corrections and Child Welfare.

In response to the report, State Sen. Ben Hansen, who chairs the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee, said it's essential that such inspections take place and that the Legislature continue to perform its oversight role over state institutions and "vulnerable" populations they serve. Asked whether the self-conducted DHHS report gives lawmakers enough information, Hansen said:

"I would think it's adequate, but could there be more? Yes."

Hansen finished by saying he expects legislation to be introduced in early 2024 to resolve the separations of power dispute centered around the Office of the Inspector General. The report issued by DHHS does not address citizen or staff complaints at these facilities, which the Ombudsman's Office is required by statute to investigate and resolve.

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