Expanding the purview of child fatality and near fatality reviews.

 S-1411.2

SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5643

State of Washington

69th Legislature

2025 Regular Session

By Senate Human Services (originally sponsored by Senator Christian)

READ FIRST TIME 02/13/25.

AN ACT Relating to expanding child fatality and near fatality reviews to include those in the care or custody of the department of children, youth, and families pursuant to chapter 13.40 RCW; amending RCW 43.06A.100 and 74.13.640 ; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that children, youth, and other individuals placed in the state's care and state-licensed facilities through juvenile rehabilitation must be protected from harm. The legislature further finds that fatality reviews provide an important tool for the public to review what improvements may be made for the safety and protection of people placed in juvenile rehabilitation. Therefore, the legislature finds that the department of children, youth, and families shall also conduct fatality reviews over any child, youth, or other individual placed in the department's care.

Sec. 2. RCW 43.06A.100 and 2017 3rd sp.s. c 6 s 810 are each amended to read as follows: