Bill > HB4620

This bill establishes clear guidelines for clothing and necessity allowances for children in foster care, defining terms like "adequate wardrobe" as clothing that is in good condition, suitable for all seasons, and fits the child throughout their placement, and "approved necessities" as essential items other than clothing. It mandates an assessment at the time of initial placement to determine if a child has an adequate wardrobe and necessities, and if not, an "initial clothing allowance" of at least $375 is to be provided to the "placement provider" (foster parent, relative, or residential facility) to purchase these items, though this initial amount is intended for immediate needs, not a complete outfitting. The bill also outlines "supplementary clothing assistance" for extraordinary needs, capped at $175 per supplement, and specifies that these allowances will primarily be issued via a reloadable instant card within 48 hours of placement, with options for child welfare workers to use purchasing cards or, as a last resort, reimbursement for placement providers who use their own funds, requiring proper documentation and adherence to departmental policies for all payment methods.

Budget and Finance

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4620&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill