This report is a result of the directive contained in House Joint Resolution No. 8 passed by the 1972 Session of the General Assembly.

Pursuant to the study directive, the Virginia Advisory Legislative Council appointed Senator George S. Aldhizer, Broadway; Harold Baumes, Richmond; Evans B. Brasfield, Esquire, Richmond; Honorable Russell M. Carneal, Williamsburg; Roy L. Farmer, Richmond; Thomas E. Glascock, Esquire, Hampton; James I. Hardy, Esquire, Washington, D. C. ; Carl L. Howard, Richmond ; Honorable Edward E. Lane, Richmond and Thomas V. Monahan, Esquire, Winchester. Honorable Edward E. Lane of Richmond was named Chairman of the Committee.

The Virginia Advisory Legislative Council and the Division of Statutory Research and Drafting made staff and facilities available to carry out the study, L. Willis Robertson, Jr. and E. M. Miller, Jr. being assigned to assist the members of the Committee.

Prior to the first meeting of the Committee, the members and the staff sought to familiarize themselves with the concept of Ombudsman. The Committee found that the concept has its origin in Sweden. "Ombudsman" is a Swedish word which literally translated means agent, representative or deputy. The Office of Ombudsman was first established in Sweden in 1809 where the Ombudsman was elected by the Swedish Parliament to control the activities of public officials. The Ombudsman serves as an independent governmental official who receives complaints against governmental agencies or individuals acting for the government. An Ombudsman is charged with the duty of investigating such complaints and recommending corrective .action to the agency if it is at fault or, if the agency is reacting properly, explaining the reasons for the agency's action to the complainant. The office has also been found to be of great assistance in the dissemination of information to citizens concerning the services available from State agencies.

The theory behind the creation of such an office is that as government continues to grow, the bureaucracy becomes less accessible to normal channels of control and probably affects the life of the average citizen more than the actions of elected officials or courts of law. The creation of tbe Office of Ombudsman helps the bureaucracy become more responsive to the needs of the citizens it represents.