Legislation concerning the state’s foster care system sparked lengthy discussion in Thursday’s Senate Health and Human Resources, resulting in a number of amendments.
Review of House Bill 2010 follows extensive debate from members in it’s house of origin. If passed, the bill would seek to strengthen the state’s foster care system through a nine step, multipurpose plan established in the language of the bill.
Committee chair, Sen. Michael Maroney, R-Marshall, addressed the committee prior to discussion and stated that the bill is the “most important piece of legislation to arise out of this session.”
Multiple representatives from the state’s child care systems, such as the Division of Health and Human Resources and the West Virginia Foster, Adoption and Kinship Parents Network, came before the committee to address concerns surrounding the proposed legislation.
Marissa Sanders of the West Virginia Foster, Adoption and Kinship Parents Network, addressed the committee to state that although she supported some areas of the legislation, she believes that in order to truly strengthen the state’s foster care system, more money should be allocated towards services which could strengthen the state’s existing system.
“Bottom line is we need more services,” Sanders said. “This bill simply doesn’t do that.”
Following discussion of the proposed legislation, debate over amendments lead to the passage of two amended amendments offered by Sen. Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, and Sen. Robert Plymale, D-Wayne.
Sen. Rollan Roberts, R-Raleigh, also motioned to provide an amendment concerning the bill’s use of Managed Care Organizations, but later decided to withdraw his motion due to fellow members citing potential issues surrounding the amendment.
Prior to amendments offered by members, the committee voted to adopt a strike and insert amendment to the bill in order to clarify and strengthen it’s language.
Following adoption of amendments, the committee voted to report the bill to the full Senate with the recommendation of passage following a double reference to the committee on finance.
House Bill 2878, relating to updating the controlled substances listed on schedule one, was also reported to the Senate.
