The Senate Judiciary Committee met this afternoon to discuss a bill on Social Services Policy Manual being reported to the legislature and advancing two bills on the Department of Health and financial exploitation.
Senate Bill 210 would require the Department of Health, Human Services, Health Facilities, and the Office of the Inspector General, along with their bureaus, offices, and programs, to submit plans and performance reports to the appropriate Commission.
Commission is defined in the bill as the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability. All definitions in the bill can be found in code §16-29E-3.
During the discussion, Alex J. Mayer, Cabinet Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Human Services, raised concerns about the bill, such as additional staff needing to be hired, along with the bill already addressing needs that are currently being addressed, such as certain plans and performances already being reported.
Senator Eric J. Tarr (R – Putman, 04) suggested that the bill requires reports to be more organized and consumable for the legislative body, and states that the bill requires a reorganization process of reports, not an increase in staff.
The bill was reported to the full Senate with a recommendation of passage.
Senate Bill 543 would require the Bureau of Social Services to prepare and file its complete policy manual as a legislative rule.
The policy manual includes, but is not limited to, all policies governing child protective services, foster care, youth services, licensing, casework standards, and other operational or programmatic guidance used by the bureau.
During the discussion, supporters of the bill in the body expressed that if the policy manual rules are submitted to the legislature, then the rules will be made open for public scrutiny and comments, which will lead to accountability and transparency within the agency.
After discussion The Chair of the committee, Tom Willis (R – Berkeley, 15), laid the bill over to Monday for further consideration.
Senate Bill 617 would provide banking protections for eligible adults from financial exploitation.
The bill would permit depository institutions to delay, refuse, or prevent certain activities and financial transactions when an employer suspects financial exploitation of an elder person or incapacitated person.
A representative from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) in West Virginia stated that approximately 140,000 complaints of financial exploitation have been made from individuals over the age of 60, a significant increase from the year 2023.
Sen. Tarr proposed an amendment to reintroduce immunity within the bill with the intent of restoring protection.
Division was called, and the amendment failed.
The bill was reported to the floor with a recommendation of passage, first being reported to the committee on Finance.
