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Leaders describe child-welfare fixes after DCYF data showed fewer critical incidents
Summary
Leadership said Rep. Couture's proposal to change the removal standard in the Keeping Families Together Act is under discussion; they cited recent DCYF data showing a more than 60% drop in critical incidents after prior changes and said courts and service-authority adjustments are central to proposed fixes.
Reporters asked about Representative Couture's bill to amend the Keeping Families Together Act by changing the removal standard from "imminent physical harm" to "imminent or serious physical harm." Leaders said the prime sponsor and others are working on targeted changes that would explicitly authorize courts to order services during shelter-care proceedings and permit DCYF to reenter if parents refuse services.
Leadership noted prior statutory changes that directed courts to consider access and presence of dangerous drugs in removal decisions, and they cited DCYF data indicating a greater than 60% reduction in critical incidents in the last quarter after those measures took effect. They said they will review additional data before supporting further statutory changes and emphasized balancing child safety with due process.
Leaders framed the issue as an area where more work on details is needed and said hearings and data will guide whether statutory standards should be amended.
