HB 3382 — Addressing the placement of foster children and creating a central reception center and emergency resource homes.

CS for HB 3382 WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION IntroducedCommittee Substitute for House Bill 3382 By Delegates Pinson and Burkhammer [Introduced[Originating Marchin 14,the 2025;Standing Committee on Health and Human Resources;

referredReported to the Committee on HealthMarch and24, Human2025] ResourcesCS thenfor Finance] Intr HB 2025R37023382 A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, by adding a new article, designated §49-2A-1,§49-12-1, §49-2A-2,§49-12-2, §49-2A-3,§49-12-3 §49-2A-4, §49-2A-5, §49-2A-6, §49-2A-7, and §49-2A-8,§49-12-4, relating to establishingplacement aof central reception center and emergency resource homes for foster children;

andestablishing eliminatinga thecentral practicereception ofcenter; placing children in hotels due to lack of foster care placements.

establishing emergency resource homes;

and requiring a report.

§49-2A-1.§49-12-1.

Purpose.

The Legislature finds that it is necessary to eliminate the placement of children in the foster system in hotels rooms due to lack of suitable foster care placements.

In order to remedy this, a Central Reception Center will be established and the network of Emergency Resource Homes will be used to provide immediate and temporary shelter, comprehensive assessments, and behavioral stabilization services for youths awaiting permanent placement.

§49-2A-2.

(a) "Central Reception CenterCenter" (CRC)" means a dedicated facility providing short-term, temporary supervision, assessment, and support services to children awaiting placement.

(b) "Emergency Resource HomesHomes" (ERH)" means foster homes designated to provide emergency overnight care to children who do not yet have permanent placements.

(c) "Behavioral Stabilization Services" means crisis intervention, de-escalation, and clinical support for children experiencing mental or behavioral health crises.

§49-2A-3.§49-12-2.

(a) The West Virginia Department of Human Services shall establishcontract with at least onetwo Centralcentral Receptionreception Centercenters to serve as a temporaryshort holdingterm facilityarrangement for children awaiting foster placement.

(b) The Centralcentral Receptionreception Centercenter shall operate 24 hours per day and be open every day of Intr HB 2025R3702 the year and provide:

(1) Supervised care and temporary shelter for children who have been disrupted from placements.placements;

(2) ComprehensiveBehavioral assessment and behavioral stabilization services.services;

(3) Case coordination with child welfare professionals and agencies to identify appropriate foster placements.placements;

and (4) Educational continuity and medical or therapeutic support as needed.

(c)1 TheCS Centralfor ReceptionHB Center3382 shall(c) notThe becentral classifiedreception ascenter ashall shelterbe butlicensed instead operate as a transitionalresidential assessmenttreatment facility.

(d) AnyA child staying at the Centralcentral Receptionreception Centercenter shallmay not remain more than 4872 hours but willshall be placed in an Emergencyemergency Resourceresource Homehome or other suitable foster home by the end of each 4872 hour period.

§49-2A-4.§49-12-3.

(a) The Department of Human Services shall expandin theconjunction recruitmentwith andchild licensingplacing ofagencies Emergencyexpand Resourcerecruitment Homesof (ERH)emergency resource homes to ensure an adequate number of emergency foster placements across the state.

(b) Emergency Resourceresource Homehome parents shall be:

(c) The Department of Human Services shall actively recruit Emergencyemergency Resourceresource Homeshomes in high-need areas and prioritize homes for adolescents, justice-involved youth, and children with special needs.

§49-2A-5.§49-12-4.

FundingReports. and implementation.

(a)The FundingDepartment forof Human Services shall submit an annual report to the CentralLegislative ReceptionOversight CenterCommission andon EmergencyHealth Resourceand HomesHuman expansionResources shallby comeDecember from:1 concerning;

Intr HB 2025R3702 (1) State appropriations.

(2) Federal child welfare grants;

and (3) Private partnerships and community collaborations.

(b) The Department of Human Services shall submit an annual report to the Legislature detailing:

and (4) The progress on Emergencyemergency Resourceresource Homesmomes recruitment and retention.

§49-2A-6.

Penalties and enforcement.

(a) Any failure by the Department of Human Services to adequately reduce the placement of children in hotels shall result in:

(1) A review by the Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Resources Accountability;

and (2) A requirement to develop and implement a corrective action plan within six months.

(b) Any licensed placement agency failing to comply with Emergency Resource Homes or Central Reception Center standards shall face penalties including loss of licensing or funding reductions.