HI HR75

Urges the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services and House Committee on Human Services and Homelessness to conduct mandatory inquiries into all child fatalities and serious injuries involving the Department of Human Services Child Welfare Services Branch.

Documents 19 child fatalities or serious injuries since 1997 resulting from systemic failures, with over $10 million paid in lawsuits, including cases of Reubyne (2 million dollar settlement), Peter Boy Kema, Cyrus Belt, Zion McKeown, and Ariel Sellers.

Requires comprehensive reviews of systemic failures, resource allocation, departmental accountability, and prevention measures, with emphasis on full transparency and prompt action to ensure child safety.

Identifies four main causes of child deaths based on decades of studies: failure of communication between staff and agencies, inexperience of social workers, failure to follow established procedures, and inadequate resources.

Commits legislature to enacting laws ensuring transparency and accountability similar to other states like Colorado and Florida, and directs copies of the resolution to be transmitted to the Director of Human Services and legislative leadership.