This bill amends West Virginia Code §49-4-108, which pertains to the payment for services rendered in legal proceedings under Chapter 49. The proposed changes include the removal of the requirement for the Department of Human Services to pay for professional and socially necessary services directly. Instead, the bill stipulates that the agency with legal custody of the child or children involved in the proceedings will be responsible for payment. The bill also clarifies that professional services, which include treatment, therapy, and expert testimony, must be compensated at Medicaid rates, and if services are not provided within 30 days, the court may authorize a higher payment rate.

Additionally, the bill emphasizes the need for a reasonable connection between the Department's work and the legal proceedings before any court-ordered payments can be made. It allows the obligated agency to object to payment requests and mandates that the court provide findings of fact and conclusions of law to support its decisions. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the efficient use of state funds by ensuring that payments for services are closely tied to the legal context in which they are ordered.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 49-4-108