West Virginia legislation · 2025 Regular Session
West Virginia HB2027: Relating to changing circumstances for when a child may be removed from a foster home.
Status: Passed one chamber, March 26, 2025
The purpose of this bill is to update the circumstances when a child may be removed from a foster home.
What the bill says
To amend and reenact §49-4-111 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to changing circumstances for when a child may be removed from a foster home. ARTICLE 4. COURT ACTIONS. §49-4-111. Criteria and procedure for temporary removal of child from foster home; foster care arrangement termination; notice of child's availability for placement; adoption; sibling placements; limitations. (a) The department may temporarily remove a child from a foster home based on an allegation of abuse or neglect, including sexual abuse, that occurred while the child resided in the home. If t.
From the engrossed text, March 20, 2025:
A BILL to amend and reenact §49-4-111 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to changing circumstances for when a child may be removed from a foster home. ARTICLE 4. COURT ACTIONS. §49-4-111. Criteria and procedure for temporary removal of child from foster home; foster care arrangement termination; notice of child's availability for placement; adoption; sibling placements; limitations. (a) The department may temporarily remove a child from a foster home based on an allegation of abuse or neglect, including sexual abuse, that occurred while the child resided in the home. If the department determines that reasonable cause exists to support the allegation, the department shall remove all foster children from the arrangement, preclude contact between the children and the foster parents, provide written notice to the multidiscplinary treatment team members and schedule an emergency team meeting to address placement options. If, after investigation, the allegation is determined to be true by the department or after a judicial proceeding a court finds the allegation to be true or if the foster parents fail to contest the allegation in writing within 20 calendar days of receiving written notice of the allegations, the department shall permanently terminate all foster care arrangements with the foster parents. If the department determines that the abuse occurred due to no act or failure to …