Plain English Breakdown
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HB4796 • 2026
Addressing the placement of foster children and creating a central reception center and emergency resource homes.
Addressing the placement of foster children and creating a central reception center and emergency resource homes.
Children
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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2026-01-23
H
To House Health and Human Resources
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2026-01-23
H
Introduced in House
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2026-01-23
H
To Health and Human Resources then Finance
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2026-01-23
H
Filed for introduction
Official Summary Text
Addressing the placement of foster children and creating a central reception center and emergency resource homes.
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
HB 4796 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 4796 History | Email Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE 2026 REGULAR SESSION FISCAL NOTE Introduced House Bill 4796 By Delegates Pinson, Burkhammer, and Leavitt [Introduced January 23, 2026; referred to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then Finance] A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §49-13-1, §49-13-2, §49-13-3 and §49-13-4, relating to placement of foster children; establishing a central reception center; establishing emergency resource homes; and requiring a report. Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia: article 13. central reception center and emergency resource homes. §49-13-1. Definitions. "Central Reception Center" means a dedicated facility providing short-term, temporary supervision, assessment, and support services to children awaiting placement. "Emergency Resource Homes" means foster homes designated to provide emergency overnight care to children who do not yet have permanent placements. "Behavioral Stabilization Services" means crisis intervention, de-escalation, and clinical support for children experiencing mental or behavioral health crises. §49-13-2. Central Reception Center establishment. (a) The West Virginia Department of Human Services shall contract with at least two central reception centers to serve as a short term arrangement for children awaiting foster placement. (b) The central reception center shall operate 24 hours per day and be open every day of the year and provide: (1) Supervised care and temporary shelter for children who have been disrupted from placements; (2) Behavioral assessment and stabilization services; (3) Case coordination with child welfare professionals and agencies to identify appropriate foster placements; and (4) Educational continuity and medical or therapeutic support as needed. (c) The central reception center shall be licensed as a residential treatment facility. (d) A child staying at the central reception center may not remain more than 72 hours but shall be placed in an emergency resource home or other suitable foster home by the end of each 72-hour period. §49-13-3. Emergency Resource Home recruitment and expansion. (a) The Department of Human Services shall in conjunction with child placing agencies expand recruitment of emergency resource homes to ensure an adequate number of emergency foster placements across the state. (b) Emergency resource home parents shall be: (1) Provided with specialized training in trauma-informed care and crisis intervention; (2) Offered financial incentives to ensure homes remain open and available; and (3) Supported by 24/7 crisis response teams for immediate intervention if needed. (c) The Department of Human Services shall actively recruit emergency resource homes in high-need areas and prioritize homes for adolescents, justice-involved youth, and children with special needs. §49-13-4. Reports. The Department of Human Services shall submit an annual report to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources by December 1 concerning; (1) The number of children served; (2) Placement success rates; (3) The effectiveness of behavioral stabilization interventions; and (4) The progress on emergency resource homes recruitment and retention. NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to establish a central reception center and emergency resource homes for foster children and eliminating the practice of placing children in hotels due to lack of foster care placements. Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added. 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