Bill > SB937

This bill establishes a community-based child welfare system program in West Virginia, beginning with a phased implementation in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties and Bureau for Social Services Region IV, with further expansion requiring legislative approval. While the Bureau for Social Services will retain exclusive authority for initial intake of abuse and neglect reports, investigations, and emergency safety decisions, responsibility for ongoing case management, service coordination, and court-related functions will be transferred to contracted community-based providers after the initial investigation is complete. These providers must meet specific qualifications, and the system will use a case-rate payment model with shared-risk provisions, allowing providers to retain savings from improved outcomes while assuming some cost responsibility. The bill emphasizes performance-based contracts rather than prescriptive staffing, sets caseload expectations, and requires training aligned with department standards. The Bureau for Social Services will maintain oversight of contract compliance, performance, fiscal accountability, and data reporting, and contracted providers will have protection from civil damages for good-faith actions unless there is gross negligence or willful misconduct. An evaluation report on child safety, fiscal performance, and provider capacity will be submitted to the Legislature within 18 months of implementation.

Justice

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=937&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill