This webpage has information about people who have passed away unexpectedly, as required by Senate Bill Report - 3 - ESSB 5119. The reports are sensitive in nature. The Department of Health values privacy as well as transparency. As such, personal and confidential information have been removed as required by applicable state and federal laws. More information about the purpose of this webpage is provided below.
As required by Senate Bill Report - 3 - ESSB 5119 , an unexpected fatality review must be conducted when a person confined in a Washington State jail dies unexpectedly. ESSB 5119 defines an unexpected fatality review as “a review of any death that was not the result of a diagnosed or documented terminal illness or other debilitating or deteriorating illness or condition where the death was anticipated, and includes the death of any person under the care and custody of the city or county department of corrections or chief local enforcement officer, regardless of where the death actually occurred.”
Unexpected fatality review reports are created by city or county department of corrections or chief law enforcement officers. They are distributed to the governing unit responsible for the operation of the jail and appropriate committees of legislature.
The Department of Health’s (DOH) role is to create this public webpage where all unexpected fatality review reports are posted and maintained. These reports are subject to public disclosure. Confidential information will be redacted by the city or county department of corrections as outlined in Senate Bill Report – 3- ESSB 5119 and consistent with the requirements of applicable state and federal laws. As mandated, DOH posts the reports exactly as received.
How to submit a report to DOH
Confirm all confidential information (category 3 and 4) in your report is redacted or enter into a Data Sharing Agreement with DOH prior to submission. For more information about confidential information, please contact your organization’s privacy officer. DOH uses the following guidance documents for confidential information: Securing Information Technology Assets Standards | OCIO (wa.gov) and Categorizing Data for a State Agency | Washington Technology Solutions.
- To enter into a Data Sharing Agreement with DOH, please contact us at: DOHUFRR@doh.wa.gov.
- Each time you are ready to submit a report, please send an email to: DOHUFRR@doh.wa.gov, use the subject line “SB 5119 report”, and let us know that you are ready to submit a report. Do NOT attach the report in your email.
- DOH will send you a username and unique password to temporarily access the WaTech SFT Web Client
- Log in to the WaTech SFT Web Client portal and upload your report file.
If you have any questions, please email DOHUFRR@doh.wa.gov.