WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2023 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

House Bill 3433

By Delegate Rowe

[Introduced February 13, 2023; Referred to the Committee on Health and Human Resources]

A BILL to amend and reenact §9-2-4 of the Code of West Virginia, as amended, relating to the establishment of a division of forensic social work services within the Department of Health and Human Resources.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

article 2. commissioner of human services health and human resources; powers, duties, and responsibilities  Generally.

§9-2-4. Organization of Department of Welfare Health and Human Resources.

(a) Within limits of state appropriations and federal grants and subject to provisions of state and federal laws, rules and regulations, the Commissioner shall organize the department into such offices, divisions, agencies and other administrative units, and, consistent with the requirements of §29-6-1, et seq. of this code, shall appoint and employ for the department such deputies, assistants and employees, as may in his judgment be necessary or desirable to carry out fully and in an orderly, efficient and economical manner the powers, duties and responsibilities of the department and of his office.

(b) The commissioner shall establish the division of forensic social work services within the department, to ensure the department will have a trained and skilled workforce to provide timely and effective social work services for the department in and for circuit courts and administrative bodies of the state. The division shall use its own personnel, equipment, and facilities provided by the department.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to establish the division of forensic social work services within the Department of Health and Human Resources.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.