The bill amends West Virginia Code §49-4-108, which pertains to the payment for services in child welfare proceedings. It allows courts to order the Department of Human Services to pay Medicaid rates for professional services rendered to children or other parties involved in these proceedings. However, the bill eliminates the court's ability to order certain services for adults to be paid at a higher rate than the Medicaid rate or the rate established by the Department of Human Services. This change aims to standardize payment rates and ensure that services are provided in a timely manner.

Additionally, the bill maintains provisions for the court to order payment for socially necessary services, with the Department of Human Services responsible for setting reimbursement rates. If services for a child are not provided within 30 days, the court can still order a service to be provided at a higher rate, but this is now subject to the new limitations regarding adult services. Overall, the bill seeks to streamline the payment process for child welfare services while restricting higher payment rates for adult services.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 49-4-108
Committee Substitute: 49-4-108
Enrolled Committee Substitute: 49-4-108