House Bill 2010, a bill to reform the foster care system in West Virginia passed through the House of Delegates today and will be advanced to the Senate for further consideration.
The House of Delegates convened for the 24th day of the regular session of the 84th West Virginia Legislature to consider legislation on Thursday, Jan 31. Of the bills considered within the House, six were on third reading.
Two Senate bills passed through the Chamber today. Senate Bill 28 is a bill that would remove the $200,000 limitation on the amount of a portion of hotel occupancy tax proceeds that a county commission or municipality may spend annually on emergency services. Senate Bill 177 is a bill that would add a sunset provision and improve energy efficiency standards for commercial buildings.
House Bill 2010 passed after a lengthy discussion ensued regarding the implications of the bill and what it would do for West Virginia foster children.
Delegate Barbara Fleischauer, D-Monongalia, stood in strong opposition against House Bill 2010. She advocated for the strengthening of the Department of Health and Human Resources, instead of subcontracting the services for foster children out to a managed care organization.
“I’ve received one email in support of the bill and many in opposition,” Fleischauer said. “Why are we taking these children away from an organization who has had jurisdiction over them since the 1930’s, and giving them to a company motivated by profit?”
Many delegates resounded Fleischauer’s ideas, arguing that the foster parents haven’t had enough say in the groundbreaking piece of state legislation.
Delegate Kayla Kessinger, R-Fayette, is the lead sponsor of House Bill 2010. She advocated strongly for the passage of the bill.
“We are ranked #1 nationally for child removal,” Kessinger said. “Our system has failed these children. Think of these kids who have not had a voice in over thirty years.”
Many delegates also resounded Kessinger’s ideas, with many saying that the bill is a positive step in the right direction to addressing the issues associated with WV’s foster care crisis.
House Bill 2010 passed the House of Delegates overwhelmingly. It will now move to the Senate for consideration
Other bills that were passed through the House include House Bill 2324, a bill to allow licensing for auricular acupuncture in the state, and House Bill 2503, a bill would amend court action in abuse and neglect cases.
House Bill 2503 would amend a current statute that requires the state to pay for counsel for parents involved in abuse and neglect parents, even parents who aren’t at risk for losing parental rights. House Bill 2503 would require the DHHR to identify parents in state abuse and neglect cases as being “offending” and “nonoffending”, and would therefore not require the state to pay for counsel to represent the nonoffending parents in court.
House Bill 2521, a bill permitting the sale of fur-bearer parts, was also passed. This bill would allow for the legal purchasing, trading, and selling of animal male genitalia bones.
Bills on second reading and first reading were advanced forward this day in the House.
During remarks, Delegate Shawn Fluharty (D-Ohio), stood against the passage of House Bill 2521, remarking that it wasn’t significant enough to be included on the legislative agenda for this session.
“This is the people’s House. People aren’t emailing me about animal baculum, they’re emailing me about economic proposals and education reform. So let’s focus on that.” Fluharty said.
The House of Delegates is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, February 1st.
Committees Meeting After Floor Session Today:
-The House Committee on Banking and Insurance will meet right after the floor session to continue the previous agenda in 215-E.
-The House Committee on Seniors, Children, and Family Issues will meet at 1 p.m. in 215-E.
-The House Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet at 2:15 p.m. in 215-E.
-The House Committee on Energy will meet at 2 p.m. in 410-M.
-The House Committee on Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse will meet at 3 p.m. in 215-E.
Committees Meeting Tomorrow Before Floor Session:
-The House Committee on Finance will meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow in 460-M.
-The House Committee on Government Organization will meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow in 215E.
-The House Committee on Judiciary will meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow in 410-M.
