Relating to Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations Unit

SB 530 expands West Virginia's Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations Unit within the State Police by requiring at least one retired State Police officer from each of the 21 police districts to join the unit, increasing its size to 21 members. The bill mandates that the unit maintain an office in every State Police district (located within local Human Services offices), coordinate closely with Child Protective Services, and track statewide data on child abuse/neglect cases without identifying individual cases. It also establishes rules for rehiring retired officers (requiring specific training but no pension accrual) and requires an annual report to the legislature on unit activities and case data. The unit will focus on investigating and prosecuting child abuse cases while supporting local law enforcement and social services.