This bill aims to enhance accountability within the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources by amending existing definitions and introducing new requirements for performance planning and reporting. It modifies the definition of "Agency" to include various departments and programs within the health and human services sector, while also establishing new definitions for terms such as "outcome measures," "output measure," "performance goal," and "program evaluation." The bill mandates that departments prepare annual performance plans that outline specific performance goals, operational processes, and performance indicators, which will be included in an annual performance report.

Additionally, the bill requires departments to submit progress reports to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability, starting with a report on July 1, 2025, and annual performance reports beginning July 1, 2026. These reports must compare actual performance against established goals and include evaluations of any unmet goals, along with recommendations for improvement. The Commission is also tasked with submitting an annual report to the Legislature detailing major activities, policy decisions, and recommendations for reforms, while ensuring that departments report serious incidents involving individuals in state care within a specified timeframe.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-29E-3, 16-29-9, 16-29-10, 16-29-11