Authorizing the Washington state institute for public policy to evaluate outcomes related to assessment practices at the department of children, youth, and families.

SB 6007 authorizes the Washington State Institute for Public Policy to evaluate how screening tools used by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) affect child welfare outcomes. It specifically examines whether these tools influence dependency filings, out-of-home placements, family services, rereferrals, and critical incidents (like near-fatalities). The Institute must report preliminary findings to the legislature by December 2026 and final findings by September 2027, requiring DCYF to provide necessary data. This bill does not change DCYF policies but mandates an independent assessment of current screening practices to understand their impact on child welfare system outcomes.