Bill > HB2415

This bill mandates that the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) conduct thorough reviews of any "unexpected fatality" of a resident in a DSHS facility, which is defined as a death not anticipated due to illness or occurring within a year of an abuse or neglect report. These reviews will be conducted by a specially convened team, including representatives from the Health Care Authority and either the Office of the Patient Rights Ombudsman or the Developmental Disabilities Ombudsman, ensuring no prior involvement in the case. The primary goal of these reviews is to develop recommendations for improving practices and policies to prevent future fatalities and enhance resident safety. The department must issue a public report on the review's findings and recommendations within 120 days, and concurrently develop a corrective action plan to address any identified issues, both of which will be posted online. The bill also requires DSHS to review all unexpected fatalities of residents that occurred from July 1, 2015, to the bill's effective date, identifying root causes and corrective actions, and submitting a report to the governor and legislature by November 1, 2027. Furthermore, the bill clarifies the roles and access rights of the ombuds in these reviews and establishes protections for review team members and documents in civil or administrative proceedings, while allowing for their use in licensing or disciplinary actions related to professional misconduct.

Education

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2415&Year=2025&Initiative=false