BILL REQ. #:  H-1703.1 

Read first time 02/18/2003.   Referred to Committee on Children & Family Services.

     AN ACT Relating to establishing the joint task force on child death investigations; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that it is of utmost importance to assure adequate investigation and reporting of child deaths. The legislature finds that Washington does not have uniformity among the counties in the use of coroners or medical examiners. The lack of uniformity may lead to under-investigation of child deaths in this state.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The joint task force on child death investigations is established. The joint task force shall consist of eight members, as follows:
     (a) Four members from the house of representatives who shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. Two members of the joint task force shall be members of the house of representatives children and family services committee and two members of the joint task force shall be members of the house of representatives health care committee. Each of the two largest caucuses shall be represented on the joint task force;
     (b) Four members from the senate who shall be appointed by the president of the senate. Two members of the joint task force shall be members of the senate children and family services and corrections committee and two members of the joint task force shall be members of the senate health and long-term care committee. Each of the two largest caucuses of the senate shall be represented on the joint task force.
     (2) The joint task force shall choose its cochairs from among its membership.
     (3) The cochairs of the joint task force shall appoint an advisory committee of nonvoting advisors and experts to provide input on various subjects. For purposes of this subsection, "advisors and experts" may include, but are not limited to, representatives of: Counties, coroners, medical examiners, members of the child death review team, local health officials, and state agencies.
     (4) The joint task force shall review the following issues:
     (a) Whether Washington should replace the current county coroner system with a state medical examiner system.
     (b) Whether there is a need to implement statewide rules to ensure uniformity in child death investigations.
     (c) Whether the protocols required under RCW 43.103.100 are being followed uniformly in Washington.
     (d) Whether coroners are being reimbursed for the costs of autopsies of children under the age of three as provided for in RCW 68.50.104.
     (e) Any other issues which the joint task force deems relevant to the intent of this act.
     (5) The joint task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than December 1, 2003.