Hi, my name is _____ and I'm calling about Senate Bill 5977, which requires the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to publish child near-fatality review reports.

This bill passed the Senate unanimously 47-0, demonstrating overwhelming bipartisan support for protecting our children. Yet it's stalled in your committee despite this clear mandate from your colleagues across the aisle. Washington families deserve to know what's happening when children in our welfare system nearly die.

Critical incidents have doubled since 2021—from 28 to 57 in 2025, including 22 deaths and 35 near-deaths. These near-fatality cases reveal where our system breaks down before a tragedy becomes irreversible. Unlike child fatality reviews, which are already public, near-fatality reports remain hidden from lawmakers and communities. This lack of transparency prevents us from identifying systemic failures and implementing solutions that could save lives.

SB 5977 addresses this directly by requiring public release of these reports within 180 days, with sensitive information appropriately redacted. It's a straightforward accountability measure that strengthens oversight without compromising confidentiality protections.

The legislative session ends March 12. Every day this bill sits in committee is another day families lack the transparency they need to trust our child welfare system. I'm urging you to advance SB 5977 out of your committee now. Use your position to ensure these critical warning signs see the light of day. Our children cannot wait.

Respectfully, please call me back to insure that you understand the importance of my message. Thank you.