Citizen Portal
Sign In

Committee hears bill to require independent reviews of unexpected fatalities in DSHS facilities

House Early Learning & Human Services Committee ยท January 20, 2026

Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts

Subscribe
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

HB 2415 would require DSHS to convene independent Unexpected Fatality Review Teams for residents of DSHS facilities, publish reports within 120 days, implement corrective action plans, and inventory past unexpected fatalities back to July 1, 2015; advocates urged transparency and families sought answers.

Committee staff outlined House Bill 2415, which would require the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to conduct independent reviews of unexpected deaths of residents of DSHS-operated facilities and a set of other state inpatient settings. The bill would require DSHS to convene review teams with appropriate expertise and no prior involvement in the case, include representatives of the Health Care Authority and relevant ombuds offices, and issue reports within 120 days with corrective action plans to be posted on the department's website.

Witnesses from The Arc of Washington, the DD Ombuds office, and other advocacy organizations testified in support, saying independent reviews and required corrective actions would increase accountability, identify systemic patterns, and help prevent future deaths. Stacy Dim said the bill "creates accountability and transparency" and cited the importance of independent teams and public reporting. Noah Bridal of the Office of the Developmental Disability Ombuds said his office would participate on review teams for persons with developmental disabilities and supported the bill.

Committee members did not take a vote during the hearing. Supporters framed the bill as a step to learn from tragedies and reduce preventable deaths through independent review and corrective action; the bill also directs DSHS to report on past unexpected fatalities back to July 1, 2015.