SB 886
Relating to Foster Child Bill of Rights
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- Passed Senate
- Passed House of Delegates
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill updates West Virginia’s Foster Child Bill of Rights to ensure that children in foster care or kinship placements are fully aware of their rights. It requires the Department of Health and Human Resources to inform these children of their rights and establishes a process for kinship placements to also inform children of their rights upon request. The bill also clarifies that these rights do not create a legal cause of action, but can be reported to the foster care ombudsman.
Key provisions
- Requires foster care and kinship placements to inform children of their rights.
- Mandates the Department of Health and Human Resources to provide written copies of the Foster Child Bill of Rights to children in foster care or kinship placements.
- Specifies how the Department must inform children of their rights, including using the child’s primary language when possible.
- Allows children to sign a document acknowledging their understanding of their rights.
- Requires residential child care facilities to provide a copy of the Foster Child Bill of Rights to children upon request.
- Establishes a reporting process for violations of rights to the foster care ombudsman.
- Requires the foster care ombudsman to submit an annual report to the legislature on reported violations.
Who is affected
- Children in foster care
- Children in kinship placements
- Foster parents
- Department of Health and Human Resources
- Child welfare system
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