§16B-1-1. Legislative Findings.

It is declared to be the public policy of this state that:

(1) The Department of Health, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Health Facilities need separate and independent oversight by an autonomous agency to protect the vulnerable citizens served by these agencies.

(2) The Office of Inspector General shall be free of all influence, control, and direction by the Department of Health, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Health Facilities over which it: exercises oversight and accountability, promotes transparency, and monitors legal compliance.

(3) The Office of Inspector General shall be continued to provide oversight, transparency, and accountability to the Department of Health, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Health Facilities. The powers of the Office of Inspector General shall be interpreted broadly to effectuate this legislative purpose.