West Virginia legislation · 2025 Regular Session
West Virginia HB2377: Relating to child welfare
Status: Passed one chamber, March 27, 2025
The purpose of this bill is to require transparency from the Department of Human Services.
What the bill says
To amend and reenact §49-2-809, §49-5-101, and §49-11-101 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend the code by adding a new article, designated §61-12B-1, §61-12B-2, §61-12B-3, §61-12B-4, §61-12B-5, §61-12B-6, and §61-12B-7 relating to child welfare; updating abuse and neglect reporting; permitting the Foster Care Ombudsman to have access to information related to proceedings involving child abuse or neglect; providing the public shall have access to reports of child abuse or neglect adding additional terms to the child welfare dashboard; providing for effective date.
From the engrossed text, March 20, 2025:
A BILL to amend and reenact §49-2-809, §49-5-101, and §49-11-101 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend the code by adding a new article, designated §61-12B-1, §61-12B-2, §61-12B-3, §61-12B-4, §61-12B-5, §61-12B-6, and §61-12B-7 relating to child welfare; updating abuse and neglect reporting; permitting the Foster Care Ombudsman to have access to information related to proceedings involving child abuse or neglect; providing the public shall have access to reports of child abuse or neglect adding additional terms to the child welfare dashboard; providing for effective date; creating the Critical Incident Review Team; defining terms; setting forth responsibilities of the Critical Incident Review Team; requiring reporting; providing the Critical Incident Review Team access to information and providing for confidentiality. CHAPTER 49. CHILD WELFARE. ARTICLE 2. STATE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CHILDREN. §49-2-809. Reporting procedures. (a) Reports of child abuse and neglect pursuant to this article shall be made immediately to the department of child protective services by a method established by the Bureau for Social Services: Provided, That if the method for reporting is web-based, the Bureau for Social Services shall maintain a system for addressing emergency situations that require immediate attention and shall be followed by a written report within 48 hours if so requested by the receiving agency. The Bureau for Social Services shall establish and maintain …