HB 5367
Refugee Absorptive Capacity Act
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- Passed House of Delegates
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
House Bill 5367, the Refugee Absorptive Capacity Act, establishes a framework for West Virginia to manage refugee resettlement. It requires the state to assess its capacity to absorb refugees, considering factors like housing, education, healthcare, and economic impact. The bill also creates a state office to coordinate refugee placement, imposes a moratorium on new arrivals when local capacity is insufficient, and mandates reporting requirements to track the fiscal and economic effects of refugee resettlement. It aims to ensure that West Virginia can adequately support refugees without straining existing resources or negatively impacting the community.
Key provisions
- Establishes a state office within the Department of Human Services to manage refugee resettlement.
- Requires a determination of ‘absorptive capacity’ considering factors like housing, education, healthcare, and economic impact.
- Provides for a moratorium on new refugee arrivals when local capacity is insufficient.
- Mandates reporting requirements on refugee numbers, services used, and fiscal/economic impacts.
- Requires consultation between the state office and local governments regarding refugee placement.
- Creates a process for assessing and addressing potential security and health risks associated with refugee resettlement.
- Establishes a mechanism for assessing the fiscal impact of refugees on the state.
- Defines key terms related to refugee resettlement and local government capacity.
Who is affected
- West Virginia Residents
- Refugee Resettlement Organizations
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