Keeping Families Together: Overview of the Keeping Families Together Act (HB 1227)

In 2021 the Washington State Legislature passed the Keeping Families Together Act (HB 1227) in recognition that children and families are best served when children are cared for by their loved ones and in their communities. This legislation goes into effect on Jul 1, 2023 and fundamentally changes how courts make decisions about child safety, including consideration of the short-term and long-term harms that a child is likely to experience as a result of being forcibly removed from the home. These changes acknowledge the inherent disruptions in attachment and development that occur as a result of being removed from a parent or primary caregiver, even in situations of abuse and neglect. This presentation will provide a high-level overview of the statutory changes resultant of the Keeping Families Together Act and introduce the tools, trainings, and resources that have been developed to support courts in implementing this historical legislative change.