This bill amends the West Virginia Birth-to-Three Fund provisions to include a significant increase in payments for certain professional services. Specifically, it introduces a new provision that mandates a 25 percent increase in payments for in-person services provided by therapists and other professionals who are not employed by a state agency, effective July 1, 2025. This change aims to enhance the compensation for these essential services, which are critical for early intervention for children with developmental delays.

Additionally, the bill modifies the sources of funding for the Birth-to-Three Fund by removing a clause that previously included "and" before the last item in the list of funding sources. The fund will continue to support early intervention services exclusively, with any remaining balance at the end of the fiscal year retained for future use in accordance with the article's purposes. Overall, the bill seeks to improve the financial support for professionals involved in the Birth-to-Three program, thereby potentially enhancing the quality of services provided to children in need.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-5K-6
Committee Substitute: 16-5K-6