The Senate Committee on Human Services convened on May 15, 2025, to discuss critical issues surrounding child welfare and the processes of the Department of Human Services (DHS). The meeting focused on the need for clarity in reporting suspected child abuse cases, particularly in light of past incidents involving fatalities in foster care.

The discussion began with a reference to a tragic case from the previous year, where two children died in the same foster home within a month. It was noted that a Child Fatality Review (CERT) was not conducted for the first child, raising concerns about the adequacy of the reporting process. A member of the committee expressed confusion over why a report was not initiated after a hotline call was made regarding the first child, which had been dismissed as not indicative of abuse.

To address these concerns, an amendment was proposed to clarify the language regarding reports of suspected abuse. This amendment aims to eliminate confusion in the reporting process without changing existing policies. However, DHS raised concerns that implementing this amendment could increase their workload. In response, committee members questioned how many children had died from suspected abuse after prior hotline calls were closed without further investigation, revealing that only two cases were identified in the previous year.

The committee acknowledged the need for a public hearing to gather more information and perspectives on the proposed amendment. It was decided to reschedule the discussion for a public hearing on the following Tuesday, allowing for community input and further examination of the issues at hand.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to revisit the topic, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that child welfare processes are thorough and transparent. The committee members expressed their readiness to engage with the public and gather necessary insights before making any decisions.