Bill > HB1459

This bill modernizes the child fatality statute by updating and expanding the legal framework for child fatality reviews conducted by local health departments in Washington state. The bill increases the age range for child fatality reviews from under 18 to under 19 years old and enhances the ability of local health departments to collect and use data related to child deaths. Key provisions include allowing local health departments to retain identifiable information for trend analysis and quality improvement, granting broader authority to request medical records, autopsy reports, and other relevant data from various agencies and providers, and providing strong confidentiality protections for review documents and proceedings. The legislation aims to help identify preventable causes of child mortality by creating a more comprehensive and protected review process, while explicitly allowing the publication of redacted statistical reports that can be used to develop child fatality prevention strategies. The bill maintains protections for reporting suspected child abuse and does not restrict the use of independently acquired information in legal proceedings, balancing the need for thorough investigation with privacy and legal considerations.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1459&Year=2025&Initiative=false