West Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
West Virginia SB1029: Providing parents plain-language statements of immediate rights and ongoing rights
Status: Passed one chamber, February 27, 2026
What the bill says
To amend and reenact §49-2-802a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to state responsibilities for children; and providing parents with plain-language statements of immediate rights and ongoing rights. ARTICLE 2. STATE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CHILDREN. §49-2-802a. Information to be provided at the outset of a child protective services investigation. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, immediately upon initiating an investigation of a parent or other person having legal custody of a child, the department shall, upon first contact with the individual.
From the engrossed text, February 24, 2026:
A BILL to amend and reenact §49-2-802a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to state responsibilities for children; and providing parents with plain-language statements of immediate rights and ongoing rights. ARTICLE 2. STATE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CHILDREN. §49-2-802a. Information to be provided at the outset of a child protective services investigation. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, immediately upon initiating an investigation of a parent or other person having legal custody of a child, the department shall, upon first contact with the individual, provide the individual with a copy of A Parent's Guide to Working with Child Protective Services (guide),a Plain‐Language Statement of Immediate Rights, and a Plain‐Language Statement of Ongoing Rights. (b) The guide shall include a short and plain statement to include, but not be limited to, the (2) Steps that may need to be taken to make a safer or healthier home for the child; (3) An overview of the court process; (4) The confidentiality of maltreatment reports and case appeals; (5) Child visitation; and (6) Case appeals. (c) The Plain‐Language Statement of Immediate Rights shall be written on a single sheet of paper in large font. The case worker shall give the parent or other person having legal custody of a child time to read the Plain‐Language Statement of Immediate Rights. …