The bill aims to modernize the child fatality statute in Washington State by amending RCW 70.05.170. It raises the age limit for child fatality reviews from under eighteen to under nineteen years of age and changes the terminology from "child mortality" to "child fatality." The legislation emphasizes the importance of conducting child fatality reviews to identify preventable causes of child deaths and provides legal protections for families, local health department officials, and healthcare professionals involved in these reviews.

Additionally, the bill enhances the confidentiality of the information collected during these reviews, allowing local health departments to retain identifiable information for trend analysis while ensuring that such information remains private. It also clarifies that any witness statements or documents collected during the reviews are not subject to public disclosure or legal proceedings, thereby encouraging participation in the review process. The bill further allows local health departments to request and receive comprehensive data related to child fatalities from various entities, facilitating thorough investigations and the development of prevention strategies.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 70.05.170