Child fatalities and near fatalities public disclosure required, and child mortality review panel investigations and annual report requirements modified.

This bill requires Minnesota public agencies to publicly disclose information about child fatalities and near fatalities when criminal charges are filed, a county attorney certifies charges would have occurred but for the person's death, or a child protection investigation finds maltreatment. The law mandates that these disclosures include details such as the cause and circumstances of the incident, the child's age and gender, prior maltreatment reports, investigation results, and actions taken by welfare agencies, while protecting confidential data, private records, and the identities of information providers. Additionally, the bill strengthens local child mortality review teams by requiring them to interview caseworkers without fear of retaliation and establishes timelines for completing joint and local reviews of critical incidents. Local review teams must also include at least one representative from the child's Tribe if the case involves an Indian child, and all review reports must be made available on the Department of Children, Youth, and Families website within 60 days.