HI SR166

Senate Resolution urges the Legislature's Health and Human Services committees 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 and serious injuries since 1997 with over $10 million in lawsuit settlements, citing cases including Ariel Sellers (murdered in 2021), Geanna Bradley (found dead in 2024), and multiple others involving systemic failures.

Requires comprehensive review of systemic failures, resource allocation, departmental accountability, and identification of preventive measures, with goal of ensuring transparency and establishing safeguards prioritizing child safety.

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

Commits Legislature to enacting laws based on inquiry results that ensure transparency and accountability similar to other states like Colorado, and directs certified copies to be sent to the Director of Human Services and relevant legislative leadership.