SPOKANE, Wash. –Local foster parents held a rally outside of the Spokane County Courthouse on Tuesday against a controversial state law.
House Bill 1227, also known as the ‘Keeping Families Together Act’ went into effect in 2023. It prioritizes keeping kids with their biological families and reduces the amount of kids going into the foster care system.
Those against the bill said it has made children unsafe, especially those who are in homes where drug use is an issue.
“We adopted a little girl that was nearly killed by drug addicts. I have to fight because of that,” said Amy Parks, protest organizer. “Kids are getting their bones broken because people high on meth or PCP or whatever, they don’t think clearly.”
Monday’s protesters set out 164 pairs of children’s shoes to represent the children that have died since the law was passed in 2022.
“You’ve heard the stories of drugs in the home, kids getting the drugs, fires starting in the homes, parents losing their control and stabbing kids to death. It’s all terrible,” protester Herman Alberts said.
Another protest was also held against the bill on Olympia.
Protesters said they have been contacting legislators across the state about the harmful effects of the law.
“I had a meeting with Senator Christian last week. He’s a foster child. We had a really good conversation,” Parks said.
As of now, there is currently no bill that would change or repeal the act.
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