This bill seeks to amend West Virginia Code §49-4-604 to allow courts to consider the voluntary relinquishment of parental rights when evaluating reasonable efforts to preserve families in cases of child abuse or neglect. The proposed changes include the insertion of language that specifies that a court is not required to make reasonable efforts to preserve the family if a parent has voluntarily relinquished their parental rights within the last five years during an abuse and neglect proceeding. This addition aims to clarify the circumstances under which the court can bypass efforts to reunify families when a parent has already chosen to give up their rights.

Additionally, the bill outlines the requirements for case plans and the factors that courts must consider when making disposition decisions regarding neglected or abused children. It emphasizes the importance of documenting efforts made by the department to preserve family connections and ensure the child's safety. The bill also reinforces that parental rights cannot be terminated solely based on a parent's participation in a medication-assisted treatment program for substance use disorder, provided they are meeting their treatment obligations. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the process of determining the best interests of children in cases of abuse or neglect while considering the implications of voluntary relinquishment of parental rights.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 49-4-604