HI SCR185

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 documented cases of child fatalities or serious injuries since 1997, with over $10 million paid in lawsuits, including cases of fatal abuse, neglect, and failure to prevent harm following unsafe reunifications.

Requires comprehensive reviews addressing systemic failures, resource allocation, departmental accountability, and identification of preventative measures.

Commits the Legislature to enacting laws ensuring transparency and accountability comparable to other states like Colorado, California, and Florida, which publish detailed case information online.

Identifies four main causes of child deaths found in research: failure of communication between staff and agencies, inexperience of social workers, failure to follow established procedures, and inadequate resources.