OLYMPIA — On February 10, 2026, the Washington State Senate passed Senate Bill 5977 (SB 5977) with a unanimous 47‑0 vote. Sponsored by Republican Senator Nikki Torres of the 15th Legislative District, the bill mandates public reporting of near‑fatal child welfare cases handled by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) – a move aimed at closing a critical transparency gap in the state’s child protection system.

Under SB 5977, DCYF would be required to publish written reports on child near‑fatality reviews—cases in which a child has been seriously or critically harmed—on the same public platform used for child fatality reviews. The legislation also sets a firm deadline, requiring completion of reports within 180 days of the incident unless a governor‑granted extension is authorized and submitted to relevant legislative committees. Identifying information would continue to be redacted in line with state and federal confidentiality laws  

Senator Torres emphasized the urgency of transparency: “When a child nearly loses their life, the state has an obligation to be transparent about what happened and what we can learn from it.” She added that these cases often serve as critical early warnings, offering lessons to prevent future tragedies. The bill aims to equip lawmakers, agencies, and communities with the data needed to identify systemic breakdowns and strengthen child safety policies  

Currently, Washington law mandates public disclosure of fatality reviews, but near‑fatality reviews are not consistently made public—despite often revealing similar systemic vulnerabilities. SB 5977 seeks to bridge that gap without altering confidentiality protections or how material may be used in legal proceedings  

If the bill becomes law, it would take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns. The 2026 legislative session began on January 12 and is scheduled to conclude on March 12  

Why this matters
For residents of Longview, Kelso, and the wider Cowlitz County community, SB 5977 represents more than procedural reform—it embodies a deeper commitment to public accountability in the realm of child welfare. By making near‑fatality reviews accessible, community members, local advocacy groups, and policy‑makers gain a clearer view of how breakdowns occur and what patterns emerge. Such transparency not only fosters informed oversight but also enables pressing conversations about preventive action and resource allocation. In a system where hidden failures can lead to devastating outcomes, legislation like SB 5977 is a proactive step toward openness—before tragedy strikes.