Addressing the rise in maltreatment-related child fatalities or near fatalities by supporting families that have received a child welfare response.

HB 2497 addresses the 70% rise in child fatalities and near-fatal abuse cases by supporting families involved with child welfare services. The bill requires the state to provide legal counsel and parent allies for pregnant individuals or new parents at risk of child removal, assign public health nurses to parents of children under four with active investigations, and expand the Parent-Child Assistance Program in high-need areas for families with substance use issues. It also mandates specialized training for child welfare supervisors on safety assessments and improves connections to community services. These changes aim to keep children safe at home while addressing root causes like substance use and lack of support.