Relating to foster care

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Tom Clark and 7 co-sponsors

House Bill 2367 enhances West Virginia's foster care by empowering foster families, improving access to information, and ensuring better support for children in care.

To House Human Services

#health

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 2367 aims to enhance the foster care system in West Virginia by improving access to information for foster families, ensuring better representation in decision-making processes, and revising drug screening procedures during improvement periods. The bill seeks to empower foster and kinship parents, thereby improving the overall care and support for children in the foster system.

Key Provisions

Amendments to Existing Code

The bill proposes amendments to sections of the West Virginia Code, specifically:
- §49-2-111c: Focuses on the priorities for fund usage by the Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), emphasizing prevention of child removal from homes, training for kinship parents, and expansion of a tiered foster care payment system.
- §49-2-127: Establishes the Foster and Kinship Parent Bill of Rights, outlining the rights of foster and kinship parents, including:
- The right to professional treatment and ethical support.
- The right to maintain family values and receive necessary training.
- The right to be informed about a child's background and needs prior to placement.

New Sections Added

The bill introduces two new sections:
- §49-2-131: Mandates the development of a web-based communication system to facilitate better information sharing among stakeholders in the foster care system. This system will:
- Allow access to health records and other vital information for foster parents.
- Improve communication regarding appointments, court hearings, and service availability.
- Archive communications for accountability and reporting purposes.

§49-2-132: Establishes an independent advisory board comprising various stakeholders, including current foster parents and professionals from related fields, to provide ongoing input and recommendations for the foster care system.

Impact

Who Will Be Affected?

Foster and Kinship Parents: The bill directly benefits these caregivers by enhancing their rights and access to information, which is crucial for the well-being of the children they care for.

Children in Foster Care: Improved communication and support systems are expected to lead to better outcomes for children in the foster system.

Department of Health and Human Resources: The DHHR will be tasked with implementing the new communication system and ensuring compliance with the new provisions.

Procedural Aspects

The bill has been referred to the House Human Services Committee for further consideration.

A timeline for the implementation of the web-based communication system is set, with a completion date by July 1, 2026.

The DHHR is required to submit progress reports to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources.

Conclusion

House Bill 2367 represents a significant step towards reforming the foster care system in West Virginia by prioritizing the needs and rights of foster families and improving the overall infrastructure supporting child welfare. The proposed changes aim to create a more responsive and effective system for all stakeholders involved.

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