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Oversight committee outlines bills to tighten child-welfare reporting, tribal coordination and investigative practice
Summary
Committee leaders described a slate of bills born from stakeholder work after three child fatalities, including a tribal memorandum of understanding, school‑records access for caseworkers, tightened mandatory‑reporting language, expanded hotline review, and a 72‑hour advanced forensic‑interview requirement.
The joint legislative oversight committee on the Department of Child Safety heard an overview of bills aimed at improving information sharing and investigative practice after three high‑profile child fatalities.
Committee leadership said one measure signed by the governor (referenced in testimony as SB 11 25) creates a memorandum of understanding to improve information flow between tribes and DCS when a tribal member enters state care. "What happened to Emily Pike was tragic. Actually, it was horrific," the committee chair said, describing gaps in communication that the MOU is intended to address.
Lawmakers outlined additional legislation introduced this session. A bill referred to as "11/26" would require school districts to provide DCS caseworkers with records related to a…
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