The proposed bill aims to establish the "Non-Profit Transparency and Accountability Act" in West Virginia, mandating that all nonprofit organizations receiving any portion of their operating funds from public sources, whether state or federal, must comply with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. This legislation emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of nonprofit organizations, which are often perceived as serving social or civic needs. The bill outlines legislative findings that highlight the necessity for public oversight of funds and the need for public confidence in nonprofit operations.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that these nonprofit entities must respond to FOIA requests under the same obligations as public bodies and requires them to enroll in Open Checkbooks, a platform aimed at enhancing financial transparency. The introduction of this act reflects a commitment to ensuring that public funds are managed responsibly and that nonprofit organizations maintain a high level of accountability to the communities they serve.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 31E-17-1701, 31E-17-1702, 31E-17-1703