Bill > SB5643

This bill expands the scope of child fatality and near fatality reviews to include children, youth, and individuals in the care or custody of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), particularly those in juvenile rehabilitation facilities. The legislation broadens the definition of who can be reviewed to include not just minors, but any individual in state care or state-licensed facilities. The bill requires DCYF to conduct fatality and near fatality reviews when a death or serious injury is suspected to be caused by abuse or neglect, and mandates that these reviews include individuals in juvenile rehabilitation settings. The reviews must be conducted by a team with no previous involvement in the case, and a report must be issued within 180 days, which will be made publicly available online with confidential information redacted. The bill also clarifies that "near fatality" includes serious conditions resulting from incidents like drug overdoses, and expands the Office of the Family and Children's Ombuds' access to case management systems to facilitate these reviews. The underlying purpose is to improve safety and protection for individuals in state care by providing a systematic method of reviewing and learning from tragic incidents.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5643&Year=2025&Initiative=false