SB 1048 Summary

• Removes the Office of Planning and Health Status Monitoring from state child fatality review team membership and redesignates the parent assistance office as part of the administrative office of the courts.

• Requires state child fatality review team to submit annual reports on child fatalities and near fatalities identified by the Department of Child Safety beginning January 1, 2025, with state agencies required to respond in writing within 60 days on their capacity to implement recommendations.

• Changes local child fatality review team composition to require a "mental health specialist" instead of a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist, and removes the conditional language making local teams optional.

• Expands access to records to include child near fatalities and modifies family contact procedures by requiring state team approval before team members contact family members and mandating trauma-informed interview training for those engaging with families.

• Clarifies that team members may contact family members under policies adopted by the state team, with safeguards to ensure appropriate training and knowledge of support services.