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Bill

SB 5977

Requiring publication of child near fatality reviews.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Perry Dozier and 4 co-sponsors

SB 5977 mandates Washington state publish public reviews of child near-fatality cases to improve child welfare oversight and prevent future tragedies through transparency and accountability.

By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
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Bill Summary · SB 5977

Legislative bill overview

SB 5977 requires Washington state to publish reviews of child near-fatality incidents involving child protective services. The bill mandates public disclosure of findings from cases where children nearly died due to abuse or neglect, similar to existing requirements for child fatality reviews.

Why is this important

Child near-fatality reviews can identify systemic failures and risk factors before they result in death, potentially preventing future tragedies. Public transparency of these reviews increases accountability for child welfare agencies and allows policymakers to implement evidence-based improvements to child protection systems.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy concerns: Publishing detailed case information could expose sensitive details about vulnerable children and families, raising privacy and confidentiality issues
  • Liability implications: Public disclosure of near-fatalities might increase litigation against child welfare agencies or create challenges in recruiting qualified social workers
  • Resource burden: Creating and publishing comprehensive reviews for all near-fatality cases requires significant staff time and funding for child protective services agencies already facing budget constraints

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

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