WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2026 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

Senate Bill 763

By Senator Chapman

[Introduced February 5, 2026; referred
to the Committee on Health and Human Resources]

A BILL to amend and reenact §49-2-106 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring all children placed into foster care to be screened for human trafficking upon entry into the foster care system.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

article 2. state responsibilities for children.

§49-2-106. Department responsibility for foster care homes.

(a) It is the responsibility of the Department of Human Services to provide care for neglected children who are committed to its care for custody or guardianship. The department may provide this care for children in family homes meeting required standards of certification established and enforced by the Department of Human Services.

(b) Every child who is placed in foster care by the Department of Human Services shall be screened for sex or labor trafficking by a trained child advocate.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require children to be screened for sex trafficking and labor trafficking as they enter foster care.

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