This bill amends West Virginia Code §49-2-802 to mandate audio recordings during Child Protective Services (CPS) investigations and interactions with individuals under investigation for child abuse or neglect. Specifically, it requires that audio recordings be made of every investigatory or exploratory interaction between CPS representatives and the public when the latter is under investigation. In cases where these interactions occur in private settings, such as home visits, CPS representatives must obtain informed consent or a court order prior to recording.

The bill also emphasizes the responsibilities of local child protective services offices, including the requirement to conduct thorough investigations of abuse or neglect reports, provide emergency services, and develop protection plans for affected children. It maintains existing provisions regarding the confidentiality of reports and the cooperation of state agencies while enhancing the procedural framework for handling allegations of child abuse and neglect. Overall, the bill aims to improve transparency and accountability in CPS investigations through the use of audio recordings.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 49-2-802