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West VirginiaHB 43542026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Relating to necessity allowance

Sponsored By: Adam Burkhammer (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§49-13-1§49-13-2§49-13-3§49-13-4

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Receipts and reconciliation for caseworkers

Beginning June 11, 2026, when a state purchasing card is used to buy a child’s clothing or needed items, the worker or case aide must keep the receipt and complete the state’s purchasing card reconciliation steps.

Clothing check for kids in state care

Beginning June 11, 2026, when a child in the department’s legal custody is first placed, the provider and worker review the child’s clothes and needed items. If the child does not have enough, the provider must request an initial clothing allowance. The provider must keep the child supplied with an adequate wardrobe and needed items during the placement. The provider must also update an item list, and the inventory follows the child to any new placement.

Fast clothing funds for foster and kin

Beginning June 11, 2026, the Bureau provides at least $375 when a child needs an initial clothing allowance. The department pays in this order: a reloadable card to the provider, a staff purchasing card, then reimbursement if the other options will not work. If a payment card is used, it is issued or reloaded within 48 hours of placement and can be used online or anywhere that takes electronic payments. Providers must follow the card-use policy and keep receipts for checks. Kinship caregivers who pay out of pocket send receipts to the worker for reimbursement; foster parents send receipts to their child placing agency, which bills the department.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Adam Burkhammer

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Margitta Mazzocchi

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 219 • No: 0

House vote • 3/13/2026

House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 497)

Yes: 97 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/10/2026

Passed Senate with amended title (Roll No. 395)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 1/27/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 19)

Yes: 88 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026

    4/1/2026House

  2. To Governor 3/18/2026

    3/18/2026House

  3. House Message received

    3/14/2026Senate

  4. To Governor 3/18/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  5. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  6. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House Journal

    3/14/2026House

  7. House received Senate message

    3/13/2026House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 497)

    3/13/2026House

  9. Communicated to Senate

    3/13/2026House

  10. Completed legislative action

    3/13/2026House

  11. On 3rd reading

    3/10/2026Senate

  12. Read 3rd time

    3/10/2026Senate

  13. Passed Senate with amended title (Roll No. 395)

    3/10/2026Senate

  14. Senate requests House to concur

    3/10/2026Senate

  15. On 2nd reading

    3/9/2026Senate

  16. Read 2nd time

    3/9/2026Senate

  17. Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

    3/9/2026Senate

  18. Reported do pass, as amended by Judiciary

    3/6/2026Senate

  19. Immediate consideration

    3/6/2026Senate

  20. Read 1st time

    3/6/2026Senate

  21. Reported do pass with amend and title amend but first to Finance

    2/24/2026Senate

  22. To Finance

    2/24/2026Senate

  23. Without recommendation, but first to Judiciary then Finance

    2/21/2026Senate

  24. Referred to Judiciary

    2/21/2026Senate

  25. Introduced in Senate

    1/28/2026Senate

Bill Text

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