The proposed bill aims to establish the "Bring Them Home Fund" within the West Virginia Code, specifically designed to enhance the state's child welfare provider network by renovating existing state properties for high-acuity 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 providing in-state treatment options for children in crisis, thereby reducing the need for out-of-state placements that can disrupt family support and incur higher costs.

Additionally, the bill grants the Secretary the authority to disburse funds from the Bring Them Home Fund for specific purposes, such as developing treatment programs and expanding the child welfare provider network. It allows for collaboration with other state agencies to identify suitable properties for childcare facilities and permits the Secretary to enter into agreements with private entities for operational management. The bill also includes provisions for legislative rulemaking to ensure proper implementation and oversight of the fund's activities.

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