SB 1029
Providing parents plain-language statements of immediate rights and ongoing rights
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House of Delegates
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill requires West Virginia’s Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) to provide parents involved in child protective services investigations with clear, easy-to-understand statements outlining their immediate and ongoing rights. These statements, available in large font and alternative formats, cover topics such as privacy, refusal of services, fair treatment, and the right to appeal decisions. The goal is to improve transparency and ensure parents are informed throughout the investigation process.
Key provisions
- Requires DHHR to provide parents with a ‘Guide’ and ‘Plain-Language Statements’ at the start of a child protective services investigation.
- The ‘Guide’ must include information about investigation steps, safer home requirements, the court process, confidentiality, child visitation, and case appeals.
- The ‘Plain-Language Statement of Immediate Rights’ covers topics like privacy, refusal of entry, consent/refusal of services, fair treatment, and communication access.
- The ‘Plain-Language Statement of Ongoing Rights’ details rights to confidentiality, file access, investigation results, informed actions, appeals, and continued fair treatment.
- Statements must be written in plain English understandable to an eighth-grade education level.
- DHHR must document providing the statements and make reasonable efforts to explain them.
- Statements must be available in alternative formats and languages as required by law.
- The bill clarifies the right to know why CPS is involved, protecting the identity of the reporter.
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