Bill > HB4581

This bill mandates that each county's Bureau of Social Services (BSS), which is responsible for child welfare services, must hold a monthly status meeting to discuss operational matters, staffing, caseloads, and how different agencies can better work together to protect children from abuse and neglect. The meetings will be led by the county BSS supervisor and will invite participation from various officials including the Department of Human Services regional director, the county prosecuting attorney, sheriff, superintendent of schools, local legislators, county commissioners, healthcare representatives, and non-profit organizations serving children and families. These meetings will cover topics such as staffing levels, child welfare data, inter-agency coordination challenges, barriers to service delivery, and any urgent child protection issues. Additionally, the Department of Human Services will provide annual training on child abuse and neglect investigation standards, mandatory reporting, and best practices for inter-agency cooperation, and each county BSS will be required to produce a summary report of each meeting detailing attendance, key discussions, and action items.

Health and Social Services

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4581&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill