Relating to body-worn cameras

HB 4579 requires West Virginia child protective services (CPS) workers to use body-worn cameras during investigations of child abuse or neglect reports. CPS workers must first obtain consent to use cameras in private areas where people expect privacy, and they may skip using cameras if it would harm a child's privacy or impede the investigation - though they must document the reason in the case file. All audio and video recordings become confidential child welfare records, protected from public disclosure under state law, and must be kept until all legal appeals are complete. This bill directly affects CPS workers conducting in-person investigations across West Virginia.