The bill amends RCW 70.05.170 to modernize the child fatality statute in Washington State, addressing the high mortality rate among children under 19 years of age. It emphasizes the importance of conducting child fatality reviews to identify preventable causes of child deaths and aims to provide legal protections for families, local health department officials, and healthcare professionals involved in these reviews. The term "child mortality" is replaced with "child fatality" throughout the statute to reflect this focus.

Key provisions include the authorization for local health departments to conduct child fatality reviews, ensuring confidentiality of health care information collected during these reviews, and allowing the retention of identifiable information for trend analysis and quality improvement. The bill also clarifies that while local health departments can request and receive various records related to child fatalities, such information is protected from public disclosure. Additionally, it allows for the reporting of unresolved concerns about child abuse or neglect identified during reviews, without imposing mandatory reporting duties on review team members. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the effectiveness of child fatality reviews and improve child health outcomes in Washington State.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 70.05.170
Substitute Bill: 70.05.170
Bill as Passed Legislature: 70.05.170
Session Law: 70.05.170