The bill amends the Code of West Virginia by introducing two new sections, 49-2-815 and 49-2-131, which establish pilot programs aimed at enhancing the services provided by the Department of Human Services (DHS) in relation to child welfare. The first section, 49-2-131, mandates the DHS to create a pilot program that contracts with qualified private entities to provide supplemental caseworker aide services. This initiative is designed to alleviate the workload of existing departmental staff within the Bureau for Social Services, allowing them to focus more on personal interactions with children and families. The program will operate for 15 months and will be deployed in districts with specific criteria, such as high caseloads or persistent vacancies in child welfare positions. A report detailing the program's implementation and outcomes will be submitted to the Joint Committee on Health.

The second section, 49-2-815, requires the DHS to implement a pilot project by October 1, 2027, in two counties that utilizes mobile devices to access the department's case management system. This project aims to improve the efficiency of child abuse and neglect investigations by enabling Child Protective Services workers to gather and manage data in real-time. The mobile devices will be equipped with a customized operating system and will automatically upload data to the department's server. The pilot program will last for five years, with annual reports submitted to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability to track progress and metrics related to the use of technology in investigations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 49-2-815
Enrolled Version: 49-2-815, 49-2-131