Bill > SB524

This bill mandates that each county's Bureau of Social Services, which is responsible for child welfare services, must hold monthly status meetings to review its operations, including staffing, caseloads, and service delivery, with the goal of improving child protection outcomes and ensuring accountability. These meetings will be led by the county Bureau of Social Services supervisor or their representative, and the Department of Human Services will oversee compliance and can set standardized agendas and reporting formats. Key officials and stakeholders, such as the county prosecuting attorney, sheriff, school superintendent, county commissioners, legislators representing the area, healthcare providers, and representatives from local non-profit organizations serving children and families, are invited to participate to foster better communication and coordination among state, county, law-enforcement, education, health-care, and community partners. The meetings will cover topics like child welfare metrics, cross-agency coordination issues, barriers to service delivery, and emergent cases requiring joint intervention. Additionally, the Department of Human Services will provide annual training on child abuse and neglect substantiation standards, mandatory reporting, and best practices for inter-agency coordination, and each county office will be required to submit a summary report of each meeting detailing attendance, key issues, and action items.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=524&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill