Debate flares over WA child welfare law after rise in deaths and injuries

Washington lawmakers are grappling with potential revisions to the Keeping Families Together Act following alarming statistics showing at least 92 children have died or nearly died within the state's child welfare system this year. The law, enacted in 2021, aimed to prevent unnecessary family separations by raising the threshold for removing children from their homes. However, critics, including some within the Democratic Party, argue it may inadvertently endanger children by keeping them in unsafe environments. Republican Rep. Travis Couture has proposed legislation to lower the removal standard from "imminent physical harm" to "imminent or serious physical harm," allowing for quicker interventions in cases involving drug exposure.

Secretary Tana Senn, who co-sponsored the original law, acknowledges the complexities of child welfare and the need for careful policy implementation. The chair of the House panel, Rep. Steve Bergquist, has signaled that if child fatality and injury rates do not improve by winter, he will consider revisiting the law. Potential bipartisan solutions may emerge as lawmakers seek to balance child safety and family integrity. The ongoing discussions highlight the urgent need to address the welfare system's effectiveness in protecting vulnerable youth.