The bill amends several sections of the West Virginia Code to enhance the reporting and management of child abuse and neglect cases. It requires that reports of such incidents be made immediately to the Bureau for Social Services via a 24-hour hotline or web-based system, emphasizing the urgency of these reports. The Bureau is mandated to act on all reports, including those from mandatory reporters, and is prohibited from screening out any reports. Additionally, the bill stipulates that reports and audio files related to child abuse must be retained for a minimum of 12 months.

Moreover, the bill establishes the Critical Incident Review Team under the Office of the Inspector General, which will review child fatalities and near fatalities within the child welfare system. This team, composed of various stakeholders, is tasked with collecting demographic data, analyzing trends, and making recommendations to improve prevention and intervention strategies. The team is required to meet quarterly and within 10 days of any incident, while maintaining confidentiality in its proceedings. Reports summarizing the team's findings will be submitted to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability, thereby promoting transparency and accountability in child welfare practices.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 49-2-809, 49-5-101, 49-11-101, 61-12B-1, 61-12B-2, 61-12B-3, 61-12B-4, 61-12B-5, 61-12B-6, 61-12B-7