CHILDREN: Establishes the Child Welfare Death Review Panel. (1/1/27) (OR NO IMPACT See Note)

This bill creates the Louisiana Child Welfare Death Review Panel to investigate the causes of child fatalities and unexpected deaths involving children in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services. The panel will consist of sixteen members representing various agencies, including law enforcement, healthcare, and government leadership, who will review case data to identify patterns and systemic issues. To conduct its work, the panel is granted authority to access medical records and investigation files, with strict confidentiality protections ensuring that all shared information cannot be used as evidence in court. The legislation aims to improve service delivery and prevent future tragedies by analyzing these cases to recommend necessary changes, with the program set to begin on January 1, 2027.