Plain English Breakdown
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HB4618 • 2026
Relating to the temporary payment to a kinship parent of a subsidy equal to that of a foster parent.
Relating to the temporary payment to a kinship parent of a subsidy equal to that of a foster parent.
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 Finance
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2026-01-20
H
Introduced in House
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2026-01-20
H
To Finance
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2026-01-20
H
Filed for introduction
Official Summary Text
Relating to the temporary payment to a kinship parent of a subsidy equal to that of a foster parent.
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
HB 4618 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 4618 History | Email Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE 2026 REGULAR SESSION Introduced House Bill 4618 By Delegates Burkhammer, Mazzochi, Chiarelli, Flanigan, Heckert, Kimble, Miller, and Pinson [Introduced January 20, 2026; referred to the Committee on Finance] A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, as amended, 1931, by adding thereto a new section, designated §49-2-815, relating to the temporary payment to a kinship parent of a subsidy equal to that of a foster parent. Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia: ARTICLE 2. STATE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CHILDREN. §49-2-815. Temporary increase in kinship payment subsidy. (a) Temporary increase in subsidy amount — Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, a kinship parent shall be eligible for a temporary increase in the subsidy amounts equal to that of the foster parent subsidy if at the time of initial placement, the following circumstances: (1) The kinship parent shall pass a background check, through the WV Cares Program, which shall be submitted within five days of the initial date of placement; (2) The kinship placement shall pass an initial home screening to identify and to correct fatal life safety issues; and (3) The kinship parent shall be assigned to a child placing agency to assist them with obtaining certification as a foster parent and compliance with all other aspects of certification. (b) Time frame for temporary increase — The temporary increase in subsidy amounts shall become payable to the kinship parent within 30 days of the initial kinship placement and will continue for a period of no more than six months at the temporary rate to allow the kinship parent to become certified. If the kinship parent is unable or unwilling to become certified at the end of the six-month period, the temporary increase will be removed and is no longer payable. NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require that a kinship parent be paid a subsidy equal to that of a foster parent in specified circumstances and set forth the timeframe for such payment. The 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: