Republicans press for changes to Keeping Families Together Act after fatal child incidents
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Summary
Republican lawmakers said recent testimony showed the Keeping Families Together Act 'doesn't fix' imminent-harm rules, urged further fixes, and said DCYF responses have been limited to letters; they also noted a separate effort to add fentanyl to the child endangerment statute.
During the Leadership Media Availability, several Republican members cited emotional testimony offered by Rep. Travis Couture and others as evidence that the current Keeping Families Together Act fails to protect children in high-risk homes.
Representative Chris Corey said "what Travis said yesterday was absolutely correct" and described the bill as more "flash than actual substance." He and other Republicans said the law's imminent-harm language remains too restrictive to allow timely removal of children from dangerous situations. "This bill obviously doesn't fix it," one Republican said, and caucus members pledged to pursue additional vehicles to address the issue.
Speakers said that critical-incident reports involving fatalities or near-fatalities have concerned children who were already known to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), and that the agency's staffing and management problems limit its ability to respond. A reporter said she had received "crickets from DCYF" when seeking interviews; lawmakers said they had seen only letters in response and that the agency's answers raised additional questions.
Senate leaders noted that the Senate passed a bill early in the session to add fentanyl to the child endangerment statute; lawmakers said they would watch for a path forward in the House. No legislative fix was enacted during the availability; lawmakers said they would continue to press the issue.
