Expanding the purview of child fatality and near fatality reviews.

SB 5643 expands mandatory reviews for child fatalities and near-fatal incidents to include children and youth in the care of Washington's Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) or juvenile rehabilitation facilities. It requires DCYF to conduct reviews for deaths or serious medical incidents (like overdoses or critical injuries) suspected to involve abuse or neglect, and mandates the Office of the Family and Children's Ombuds to have access to records and facilities for oversight. The bill also requires DCYF to publish review reports publicly online within 180 days, excluding confidential information, and ensures review teams include experts with no prior involvement in the case. This policy change directly affects children in state custody and juvenile facilities, aiming to improve safety protocols through transparent accountability.