HB 5529
Relating to performance-based contracting for child placing agencies
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House of Delegates
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill aims to change how West Virginia’s child-placing agencies are paid. It requires the Department of Human Services to use ‘performance-based contracting,’ meaning payments are tied to how well the agencies meet specific goals related to child safety, permanency, and well-being. The bill also establishes timelines for payments to both child-placing agencies and foster parents, and includes provisions for data reporting and potential shared savings arrangements.
Key provisions
- The Department of Human Services must enter into performance-based contracts with child-placing agencies by July 1, 2026.
- Contracts must include requirements for using evidence-based, research-based, and promising practices.
- Agencies must report data on performance and service outcomes, including safety, permanency, and well-being.
- Foster parents and child-placing agencies will receive a minimum of $1,000 per child for each finalized adoption.
- Foster care payments will be reviewed every two years to ensure they support efficient placement.
- Payments to foster parents and agencies will be made on the same week each month.
- The Department must report agency performance to the Legislative Oversight Commission annually.
- The Department may transfer financial risk to agencies to implement performance-based payment methodologies.
Who is affected
- Child-Placing Agencies
- Foster Parents
- Department of Human Services
- Children in Foster Care
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