(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.]