This bill amends West Virginia Code §49-2-802 to mandate audio and video recordings during Child Protective Services (CPS) investigations and interactions with individuals under investigation for child abuse or neglect. Specifically, it requires that all investigatory interactions between CPS representatives and the public be recorded using body cameras, with informed consent or a court order required for recordings made in private settings. Additionally, the bill stipulates that all communications between interested parties, including the accused, guardians, and CPS workers, must be documented, allowing those under investigation to also record communications, which will hold the same evidentiary weight as those made by CPS.

The bill also makes several changes to the existing provisions, including the deletion of certain subsections and the insertion of new requirements. For instance, it replaces the previous subsection (4) with a new (5) that emphasizes the need to determine the military status of parents involved in abuse or neglect allegations. Furthermore, it introduces a new (6) that mandates immediate responses to allegations of imminent danger to a child's well-being, including a face-to-face interview within 72 hours. The bill aims to enhance the transparency and accountability of CPS investigations while ensuring the rights of all parties involved are protected.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 49-2-802