Relating to the temporary payment to a kinship parent of a subsidy equal to that of a foster parent.

HB 4618 would temporarily increase payments to kinship parents (relatives caring for children) to match foster parent subsidies under specific conditions. To qualify, kinship parents must pass a background check within five days of placement, pass a home safety screening, and be assigned to a child placing agency to help them become foster parent certified. The temporary payment would begin within 30 days of placement and last up to six months, ending if certification isn't completed within that time. This bill directly affects relatives caring for children in West Virginia's child welfare system who are temporarily placed with them.