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HB 5377

AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- CHILD ADVOCATE OFFICE

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Julie Casimiro and 8 co-sponsors

The bill expands public review of DCYF cases by requiring rapid notification to the Child Advocate, public reporting of fatality reviews, and timely implementation of recommendatio

03/06/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 5377

Summary — HB 5377 (2025)

Title: An Act Relating to State Affairs and Government — Child Advocate Office
Bill number: HB 5377 (companion: SB 2221)
Introduced: 2025 (document lists Feb 7 and filing Mar 14)
Effective date: Upon passage

Purpose / Intent

The bill strengthens oversight, transparency, and accountability following child fatalities or near‑fatalities involving children who are or have been involved with the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). It expands reporting and review requirements for the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) and requires DCYF to respond and implement recommendations from child fatality reviews within a specified timeframe.

Key provisions

  • Notification and access

    • DCYF must notify the Office of the Child Advocate verbally and electronically within 48 hours of a confirmed child fatality or near‑fatality of a child who is the subject of a DCYF case.
    • DCYF must provide the OCA access to any written material about the case.

  • Scope of reviews

    • The Child Advocate, with a voluntary and confidential child fatality review panel (membership may vary by case), shall review case records of fatalities and near‑fatalities of children under 21 when:
    • The fatality/near‑fatality occurred while the child was in DCYF custody or involved with DCYF, or the child’s family previously received DCYF services;
    • The fatality/near‑fatality is alleged to stem from abuse or neglect and there was prior DCYF contact;
    • A sibling, household member, or daycare provider was the subject of a child abuse/neglect investigation in the previous 12 months (including unsubstantiated or pending reports).

  • Analysis, recommendations, and public reporting

    • The review panel shall assess cases, make recommendations about the cases, and recommend improvements to laws, policies, and practices to support child safety.
    • Each review report must be made public within 30 days of completion.
    • The Child Advocate must publicly announce the convening of a review panel and the age of the child involved.
    • Panel members are subject to existing confidentiality provisions (§ 42‑73‑10).

  • DCYF obligations and timelines

    • DCYF must implement measures necessary to comply with the panel’s recommendations within six months of the recommendation.
    • The DCYF director must provide a report to the Child Advocate, the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, and the Governor detailing DCYF’s specific response to the recommendations.
    • Reports required under this section must be completed within three months of the date any DCYF measure is implemented in response to recommendations.

Who is affected

  • Primary: DCYF (operational and reporting responsibilities), Office of the Child Advocate (expanded review/oversight role), and members of child fatality review panels.
  • Secondary: families of children involved with DCYF, legislators and executive officers (receive DCYF response reports), and the public (access to completed reports).

Potential impact and considerations

  • Increased transparency and accountability: public reports and required notifications enhance oversight of DCYF responses to fatalities.
  • Operational burden: DCYF will need systems and resources to meet 48‑hour notifications, implement recommendations within six months, and produce final reports within three months after implementing measures.
  • Confidentiality balance: the bill maintains statutory confidentiality protections for panel members while requiring public reporting of final reviews.
  • Implementation feasibility: some recommendations may require legislative changes, funding, or multi‑agency coordination that could affect the six‑month compliance target.

Legislative status / timeline (selected actions provided)

  • Introduced/referred: Feb–Mar 2025 (document shows introduction Feb 7 and filed Mar 14; referred to House State Government & Elections).
  • 02/28/2025: Scheduled for hearing/consideration.
  • 03/06/2025: Committee recommended measure be held for further study.
  • 04/07/2025: Read first time; referred to Trade, Workforce & Economic Development.
  • 05/07–05/08/2025: Public hearing and committee consideration; committee substitute considered; testimony recorded; reported favorably as substituted (05/08/2025).

Note: Records provided show multiple committee actions; readers should consult the official legislative docket for the most current status.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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