OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, introduced legislation today aimed at improving the state’s response to child-neglect cases and reducing costly lawsuits stemming from inadequate intervention.

Cases of child neglect are increasing, as are monetary settlements against the state for its handling of these cases. Senate Bill 5736 seeks to address these challenges with a two-pronged approach designed to improve outcomes for vulnerable children.

First, if the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) determines a child-neglect allegation to be valid, SB 5736 would require the agency to inform the family about public-assistance programs it may qualify for, including employment services, food assistance, and childcare support.

Second, the bill would establish an inter-agency team to review chronic child-neglect cases. If DCYF finds that a case involves ongoing neglect, it would be referred to this team, elevating the state’s response and potentially leading to stronger interventions.

“We cannot allow children to slip through the cracks and suffer the consequences of instability,” said Braun. “Because poverty is so often a large contributing factor in child neglect cases, by better connecting parents and guardians to resources that improve their financial situation, we can reduce the incidence of child neglect.

“Protecting the most vulnerable in our communities is a moral imperative and should be among the highest priorities for any state legislator. We must use every tool at our disposal to enhance the well-being and safety of children at risk of neglect and abuse. Failing to act not only harms these children but also burdens taxpayers with expensive legal settlements—draining resources that could otherwise help other vulnerable Washingtonians.”

DCYF is responsible for 151 payouts of $1 million or more in the past four years. Payouts due to claims and lawsuits against state agencies represent one of the fastest-growing areas of the state budget, costing more than $500 million in the past two years. Braun is a co-sponsor of SB 5144, which would provide more oversight by legislators of agencies that incur million-dollar payouts.