Officials with Community Living BC are pleased the province's children's watchdog is getting more power.

Legislation introduced last week would allow Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond to assist young adults until they reach age 24.

Right now, she has to stop advocating for developmentally disabled clients when they reach 19 and are transferred to the care of CLBC.

CLBC's David Hurford says,

"Each year we have about 550 young people transitioning from children and youth into CLBC adult services. That's a major change in people's lives, it's very complex. As you can imagine, it's a transition that involves a number of different ministries. I think to have the representative involved and following those cases through is a very positive development."

Hurford says the change has been in the works for more than a year.

CLBC was clouded in controversy in late 2011... when executives cut programs while collecting hefty bonuses.