This bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by establishing a Central Reception Center and a network of Emergency Resource Homes for foster children, specifically to eliminate the practice of placing children in hotels due to insufficient foster care placements. The legislation outlines the purpose of the Central Reception Center, which will provide temporary shelter, comprehensive assessments, and behavioral stabilization services for children awaiting permanent placements. It mandates the West Virginia Department of Human Services to establish at least one Central Reception Center that operates 24/7 and ensures that children do not stay longer than 48 hours before being placed in an Emergency Resource Home or suitable foster home.

Additionally, the bill emphasizes the recruitment and licensing of Emergency Resource Homes to ensure adequate emergency placements across the state. It includes provisions for specialized training for Emergency Resource Home parents, financial incentives, and support from crisis response teams. Funding for these initiatives will come from state appropriations, federal grants, and private partnerships. The bill also establishes penalties for the Department of Human Services if it fails to reduce hotel placements and requires annual reporting to the Legislature on the program's effectiveness. The legislation is set to take effect immediately upon passage, with full implementation required within 12 months.

Statutes affected:
Committee Substitute: 49-12-1, 49-12-2, 49-12-3, 49-12-4
Introduced Version: 49-2A-1, 49-2A-2, 49-2A-3, 49-2A-4, 49-2A-5, 49-2A-6, 49-2A-7, 49-2A-8