About a dozen foster parents gathered on Tuesday on the steps of the state Capitol in Olympia to call for change. They say the state should do more to protect children and would like to see changes to what they say is a harmful state law. They are referring to the Keeping Families Together Act (HB 1227) which went into effect in July 2023. “We call it the Keeping Families Together Act, but we are doing the exact opposite,” said Tracie Jefferson, who has been a foster parent for three years. The law states that the existence of issues such as inadequate housing or substance abuse does not by itself constitute imminent physical harm to a child. “We're not keeping families together. Families are being torn apart by death and by tragedy,” said Jefferson. “So, we're calling on the Capitol to help us change this.” READ MORE: https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/foster-parents-call-for-improved-child-welfare-laws-washington/281-d0b56195-e3b8-48be-8e65-346cb702b5eb