Healthcare (Children)

HB 5042 prohibits placing children under state custody (such as in foster care or juvenile justice) in facilities not approved by West Virginia's Department of Human Services (DHS). The bill requires DHS to maintain and annually update a public list of approved out-of-state facilities, including each facility's location and specialty (e.g., mental health care). Exceptions for unapproved facilities are only permitted in "extraordinary circumstances" with DHS Secretary approval. This law directly affects state child welfare systems, DHS oversight, and facilities seeking to house children in state care.

SB 1036 modernizes foster care funding in West Virginia by requiring the Department of Human Services to update basic, special, and therapeutic foster care payment rates using current cost data. It mandates automatic annual adjustments based on the Employment Cost Index (ECI) for Health Care & Social Assistance or the CPI-Medical index to keep pace with rising costs. The bill also requires therapeutic foster care and agency administrative rates to reflect current expenses and includes retention incentives for foster care providers. This directly affects foster parents, child-placing agencies, and the Department of Human Services by stabilizing workforce compensation and placement continuity. The changes aim to improve recruitment and retention in the child welfare system through updated, cost-based funding.

House Bill 5238 requires all health insurance plans in West Virginia (both public and private) to cover screening for adverse childhood experiences during routine preventative child wellness visits. For children without health insurance, the State Department of Education must create school-based screening programs through local schools. The bill defines adverse childhood experiences as traumatic events in childhood that increase the risk of chronic health conditions like obesity, heart disease, and respiratory illness. This law directly affects health insurance providers and school systems by mandating accessible screenings to address early childhood trauma.

HB 5568 amends West Virginia law to clarify how payments are made for services provided to children in court cases under Chapter 49 (child welfare and family proceedings). It requires courts to order the agency with legal custody of a child to pay for professional services (such as therapy or counseling) at Medicaid rates, or at a higher rate if services aren’t provided within 30 days. The bill also covers "socially necessary services" provided by approved entities, with reimbursement rates set by the Department of Human Services. This ensures state funds are used efficiently by requiring a direct connection between the services and the legal case.

SB 754 creates a special fund called the "Foster Care Facilities Improvement Fund" to support West Virginia nonprofit organizations operating foster care facilities. The fund, financed through state appropriations, donations, and investment income, prioritizes grants for renovating, constructing, or maintaining residential childcare facilities - especially those providing psychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and trauma services. An Advisory Committee (appointed by the Department of Human Services) recommends quarterly disbursements based on identified needs, with priority given to local nonprofits improving facility access and quality. The bill ensures unspent balances roll over annually and reinvests savings from reduced out-of-state placements to expand high-quality care within the state.

HB 4436 requires that child abuse and neglect investigations by West Virginia's Child Protective Services (CPS) must conduct face-to-face interviews with children at designated Child Advocacy Centers (CACs), where available. This directly affects children involved in CPS cases, CPS workers, and local CACs that would serve as the mandated interview location. The bill amends existing law to specify that interviews must occur at a CAC under county protocol, aiming to provide a more child-friendly environment during sensitive questioning. It does not create new centers but mandates using existing ones when accessible, focusing on improving interview conditions for child safety.