The proposed bill aims to establish the "Bring Them Home Fund" within the West Virginia Code, specifically designed to enhance the state's capacity to provide in-state psychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and trauma services for children. The fund will be administered by the Secretary of the Department of Human Services and will consist of various sources of revenue, including legislative appropriations, grants, donations, and income generated from investments. The bill emphasizes the importance of keeping children within the state for treatment, as out-of-state placements can disrupt family support and incur higher costs.

Additionally, the bill outlines the purposes for which the funds can be disbursed, including renovating existing state properties to expand treatment services, developing new treatment programs, and enhancing the child welfare provider network. The Secretary is also empowered to collaborate with other state agencies to identify suitable properties for these initiatives and may enter into agreements with private entities to manage or operate facilities. Furthermore, the Secretary is authorized to create legislative rules to facilitate the implementation of the fund's objectives.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 49-13-101, 49-13-102, 49-13-103, 49-13-104