74.13.640 - Child fatality review -- Report -- Notice to the office of the family and children's ombudsman.

Child fatality review — Report — Notice to the office of the family and children's ombudsman.

(1) The department shall conduct a child fatality review in the event of an unexpected death of a minor in the state who is in the care of or receiving services described in chapter 74.13 RCW from the department or a supervising agency or who has been in the care of or received services described in chapter 74.13 RCW from the department or a supervising agency within one year preceding the minor's death.

     (2) Upon conclusion of a child fatality review required pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the department shall within one hundred eighty days following the fatality issue a report on the results of the review, unless an extension has been granted by the governor. Reports shall be distributed to the appropriate committees of the legislature, and the department shall create a public web site where all child fatality review reports required under this section shall be posted and maintained.

     (3) The department shall develop and implement procedures to carry out the requirements of subsections (1) and (2) of this section.

     (4) In the event a child fatality is the result of apparent abuse or neglect by the child's parent or caregiver, the department shall ensure that the fatality review team is comprised of individuals who had no previous involvement in the case and whose professional expertise is pertinent to the dynamics of the case.

     (5) In the event of a near-fatality of a child who is in the care of or receiving services described in this chapter from the department or who has been in the care of or received services described in this chapter from the department within one year preceding the near-fatality, the department shall promptly notify the office of the family and children's ombudsman.

[2009 c 520 § 91; 2008 c 211 § 1; 2004 c 36 § 1.]