The bill amends the Code of West Virginia to enhance the child protective services system by introducing several key provisions. It requires the Department of Health and Human Resources to provide parents with a "Parents Guide to Working with Child Protective Services" at the beginning of investigations, which will outline the investigation process, court procedures, and confidentiality of reports. Additionally, a centralized intake reporting system for child abuse and neglect is established, mandating immediate reporting to the Bureau for Social Services through a 24/7 hotline or web-based reporting, with all reports remaining confidential for at least 12 months. The bill also creates a Critical Incident Review Team to analyze serious incidents in child welfare, emphasizing the inclusion of parent resource navigators in multidisciplinary teams that develop individualized service plans.

Moreover, the legislation enhances transparency and accountability in child abuse and neglect proceedings by allowing the release of information to law enforcement and other entities while protecting the identities of reporters, except in specific cases involving fatalities. The Critical Incident Review Team is tasked with reviewing child fatalities and near fatalities, analyzing trends, and making recommendations to prevent future incidents, while maintaining confidentiality in its proceedings. The bill also mandates updates to the child welfare data dashboard to include performance indicators and information on child fatalities and near fatalities, ensuring compliance with privacy laws. The bill is set to take effect 90 days after passage and has been certified for the Governor's approval.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 49-1-201, 49-4-405
Committee Substitute: 49-1-201, 49-4-405
Engrossed Committee Substitute: 49-1-201, 49-4-405
Enrolled Committee Substitute: 49-1-201, 49-2-809, 49-4-405, 49-5-101, 49-11-101, 49-2-802a, 61-12B-1, 61-12B-2, 61-12B-3, 61-12B-4, 61-12B-5, 61-12B-7