OLYMPIA… Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco, and Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, released the following statements after learning that Senate Bill 5977 will not be moving forward in the House of Representatives.

Senate Bill 5977 would require the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to publish reports on child near-fatality reviews, bringing those cases in line with existing requirements for child fatality reviews. The reports would be subject to public disclosure, with confidential information appropriately redacted, ensuring lawmakers and the public can identify systemic failures and work to prevent future tragedies.

The need for transparency has grown more urgent. According to DCYF, critical incidents involving children connected to the system have doubled since 2021 — rising from 28 incidents to a record 57 in 2025, including 22 child deaths and 35 near-deaths. Lawmakers say those trends underscore the importance of public accountability and oversight.

Torres had this to say:

“I am deeply disappointed that Senate Bill 5977 will not advance in the House, despite passing the Senate unanimously.

“The bill received a 47–0 vote in the Senate. Republicans and Democrats agreed that when a child in Washington nearly dies while connected to our child welfare system, the public deserves transparency. There were no partisan divisions. There were no ideological fights. There was simply agreement that protecting children should come first.

“When it comes to child safety, we must be willing to set aside ideological differences and focus on doing what is best for kids. Transparency is not partisan. Accountability is not partisan. Protecting vulnerable children should not be partisan.

“I remain committed to working with colleagues in both chambers and both parties to ensure that near-fatality cases receive the same level of public scrutiny as fatality cases. Our responsibility is to the children of Washington — and that responsibility must come before anything else.”

Couture had this to say:

“This isn’t partisan. It’s about whether we’re willing to be honest when the system fails a child. Sen. Torres’ bill that passed the Senate 47–0 to increase transparency in near-fatal cases of children couldn’t even get advanced by the Democrat House majority. That’s extremely disappointing and tragic, and House Democrats need to answer for it.”

The 2026 legislative session is scheduled to conclude on March 12.

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