WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2024 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

House Bill 4781

By Delegates Nestor, Martin, Westfall, Rohrbach, Akers, Shamblin, Jennings, Kump, Maynor, Vance, and Brooks

[Introduced January 16, 2024; Referred
to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then Finance]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §49-12-1, §49-12-2, and §49-12-3, all relating to restoring and upgrading the West Virginia Children's Home in Randolph County, repairing and maintaining all juvenile group homes in this state, requiring reports to the Legislature and Governor, establishing a funding plan.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

Article 12. West Virginia Children's home.

§49-12-1. West Virginia Children's Home.

The Legislature recognizes the need for juvenile group home placement facilities in this state. The Legislature recognizes in particular that many of these facilities require upgrades and repairs, most notably the West Virginia Children's Home in Randolph County. The Legislature further understands that this facility is in need of repairs and upgrades that will make it compliant with 42 U.S.C. §12101, et seq, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and many safety repairs.

§49-12-2. Evaluations and reports.

(a) The Department of Health and Human Resources shall prepare a report to be submitted to the Legislature and the Governor on or before September 1, 2024, and biannually thereafter, that detail the necessary repairs, upgrades to make the West Virginia Children's Home facility ADA compliant, restoration for compatibility and preservation in the National Register of Historic Places, and staffing to return the West Virginia Children's Home to fully functioning and at maximum capacity.

(b) The Department of Health and Human Resources shall prepare a report to be submitted to the Legislature and the Governor for all juvenile group homes in the state that detail the cost of upkeep, repairs, and staffing requirements, as well as other needs, on or before September 1, 2024, and biannually thereafter.

§49-12-3. Funding.

(a) Funding to the Department of Health and Human Resources for the repairs and restoration of the West Virginia Children's Home in Randolph County shall be determined based upon the reports provided to the Legislature on or before September 1, 2024, and the subsequent reports provided.

(b) Funding to the Department of Health and Human Resources specifically to maintain, support, and staff the juvenile group homes in this state shall be determined based upon the biannual reports submitted to the Legislature beginning in 2024.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to provide for maintainance and funding all juvenile group homes in this state, restoring, repairing, and staffing the West Virginia Children's Home in Randolph County, requiring reports on the needs for each facility, and establishing a plan for funding.

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