WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2022 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

House Bill 4662

By Delegates Steele, Crouse, Tully and Dean

[Introduced February 14, 2022; Referred to the Committee on Health and Human Resources]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §49-2-115a, relating to licensure of Head Start facilities in this state.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 2. STATE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CHILDREN.

§49-2-115a. Head Start program licenses.

Notwithstanding any provisions of this code to the contrary, any Head Start program licensed by the federal government pursuant to 42 USC §9381 may be considered qualified as deemed licensed having met the application requirements of this section, providing they do not have outstanding health or safety complaints or investigations and remain generally in good standing. Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent the department from investigating complaints. If a complaint investigation affirms a health and safety complaint is justified, the department may cause the Head Start program to revert to the full licensing procedure. All Head Start programs licensed, whether deemed or under traditional licensure through the department, shall have use of the WV CARES background check section.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to eliminate duplicative efforts to license Head Start facilities in this state.

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