WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2022 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

House Bill 4578

By Delegates Capito, Pushkin, Pack, Pinson, Zukoff and Garcia

[Introduced February 08, 2022; referred to the Committee on the Judiciary]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §15-2-56, relating to authorizing the superintendent to administer the Handle with Care program.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 2. WEST VIRGINIA STATE POLICE.

§15-2-56. Handle with Care program.

(a) The  purpose of this section is to ensure that the State Police, through its West Virginia Center for Children’s Justice, oversee and administer the state’s Handle with Care program.

(b) The superintendent shall:

(1) Direct and oversee the administration and implementation of the state’s Handle with Care program;

(2) Employ one or more persons deemed necessary to administer the program;

(3) Establish and coordinate education and training of law enforcement and other parties considered necessary for implementation of the program;

(4) Apply for grant funding necessary to support the administration and implementation of the program; and

(5) Accept and expend grants, gifts, bequests, donations, and other funds from any source to ensure that the State Police can accomplish the mission of the program.

(c) Nothing herein shall require that the Legislature appropriate funds to accomplish the purpose of this section.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to authorize the superintendent of the State Police to oversee the administration and implementation of the state’s Handle with Care program.

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