Plain English Breakdown
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HB4617 • 2026
Relating to requiring the Bureau of Social Service to file a legislative rule.
Relating to requiring the Bureau of Social Service to file a legislative rule.
Passed Legislature
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Bill History
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2026-01-20
H
To House Government Organization
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2026-01-20
H
Introduced in House
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2026-01-20
H
To Government Organization
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2026-01-20
H
Filed for introduction
Official Summary Text
Relating to requiring the Bureau of Social Service to file a legislative rule.
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
HB 4617 Text skip navigation SENATE PRESIDENT SENATORS COMMITTEES VIDEO/AUDIO DISTRICT MAPS SENATE CLERK SENATE RULES HOUSE SPEAKER DELEGATES COMMITTEES VIDEO/AUDIO DISTRICT MAPS HOUSE CLERK HOUSE RULES HOUSE STAFF JOINT INTERIM COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATOR LEGISLATIVE SERVICES DIVISION PUBLIC INFORMATION LEGISLATIVE AUTOMATED SYSTEMS DIVISION LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR'S OFFICE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION & RESEARCH DIVISION POST AUDIT DIVISION BUDGET DIVISION REGULATORY AND FISCAL AFFAIRS DIVISION CLAIMS COMMISSION CRIME VICTIMS RULE-MAKING REVIEW SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS JUDICIAL COMP. COMMISSION JOINT RULES STAFF INFO BILL STATUS BILL STATUS BILL TRACKING STATE LAW WEST VIRGINIA CODE ACTS OF THE LEGISLATURE CODE OF 1931 WV CONSTITUTION US CONSTITUTION REPORTS AGENCY REPORTS AGENCY GRANT AWARDS PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS POST AUDITS EDUCATIONAL CITIZEN’S GUIDE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM PAGE PROGRAM PUBLICATIONS PHOTO GALLERY CAPITOL HISTORY HOW A BILL BECOMES LAW CONTACT SENATE ROSTER HOUSE ROSTER PUBLIC INFO. NEWS RELEASES HELPFUL LINKS Introduced Version House Bill 4617 History | Email Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE 2026 REGULAR SESSION Introduced House Bill 4617 By Delegates Burkhammer, Mazzochi, Chiarelli, Flanigan, Heckert, Kimble, Miller, Pinson, Pritt, and Adkins [Introduced January 20, 2026; referred to the Committee on Government Organization] A BILL to amend and reenact §49-2-121 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring the Bureau of Social Service to file a legislative rule. Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia: ARTICLE 2. STATE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CHILDREN. §49-2-121. Rule-making. (a) The secretary shall promulgate legislative rules in accordance with §29A-3-1 et seq. of this code regarding the licensure, approval, certification, and registration of child care facilities and the implementation of this article. (b) The secretary shall review the rules promulgated pursuant to this article at least once every five years, making revisions when necessary or convenient. (c) The rules shall incorporate, by reference, the requirements of the Integrated Pest Management Program established by legislative rule by the Department of Agriculture under §19-16A-4 of this code. (d) (1) The Bureau of Social Services shall prepare, compile, and file its complete policy manual, including all policies governing child protective services, foster care, youth services, licensing, casework standards, and any other operational or programmatic guidance used by the bureau, as a legislative rule in accordance with the provisions of §29A-3-1 et seq . of this code. (2) The bureau shall file the legislative rule required under subsection (d) with the Secretary of States’ Office on or before July 1, 2026. (3) Following the initial filing required, the bureau shall file all subsequent amendments, supplements, and revisions to its policy manual as legislative rules in accordance with §29A-3-1 et seq . of this code. (4) Nothing in this subsection prohibits the bureau from issuing internal guidance or emergency procedures as necessary to protect child safety; however, any such guidance that remains in effect for more than 180 days shall be incorporated into the legislative rule process. NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require the Bureau of Social Service to file its policy manual as a legislative rule. This bill was recommended for introduction by the Joint Committee on Children and Families. Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added. Bill Status | Bill Tracking | Legacy WV Code | Bulletin Board | District Maps | Senate Roster | House Roster | Live | Blog | Jobs | Links | Home This Web site is maintained by the West Virginia Legislature's Office of Reference & Information. | Terms of Use | Webmaster | © 2026 West Virginia Legislature ** Print On Demand Name: Email: Phone: