The bill amends RCW 70.05.170 to modernize the child fatality statute in Washington State, specifically 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, the confidentiality of health care information collected during these reviews, and the ability to retain identifiable information for trend analysis while ensuring it remains non-public. The bill also allows local health departments to request and receive relevant data from various entities to aid in their reviews. Additionally, it clarifies that the department can publish statistical reports related to child fatalities, provided that individual case identifiers are redacted. 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