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West VirginiaHB 47492026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Relating to adding requirements to the foster child bill of rights

Sponsored By: Evan Worrell (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§49-2-126

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Stronger everyday rights for foster kids

Beginning June 3, 2026, foster children and kids in kinship care have a written Bill of Rights. You have the right to a safe, healthy, least restrictive home; freedom from abuse; enough food and clothing; and needed medical, dental, vision, mental health, and substance use care. You can attend school, join age‑appropriate activities, and practice your religion. When it meets the law’s goals, you have a right to kinship placement and, when possible, to stay with your siblings. Your caseworker must meet with you at least every 30 days. You get a copy of your rights, and your guardian ad litem, caseworker, and attorney must explain them. You can contact the department or the foster care ombudsman in private about rights problems, with no retaliation.

Teens in foster care get hearing rights

Beginning June 3, 2026, if you are 13 or older in foster or kinship care, you get timely notice of hearings that may affect you. You have the right to attend. Your guardian ad litem or lawyer must explain the hearing and ask if you want to go. The court can require virtual attendance or limit in‑person attendance if it is not in your best interest or is impracticable, but judges give weight to your wish to attend in person when possible. After the hearing, your guardian ad litem or lawyer explains the outcome to you.

Complaints go to foster care ombudsman

Beginning June 3, 2026, these rights do not create a private lawsuit. You can report violations to the foster care ombudsman, who can investigate.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Evan Worrell

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Scot C. Heckert

    Republican • House

  • Michael Hite

    Republican • House

  • Michael Hornby

    Republican • House

  • Laura Kimble

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 221 • No: 0

House vote • 3/5/2026

House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 351)

Yes: 92 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/3/2026

Passed Senate with amended title (Roll No. 314)

Yes: 33 • No: 0

House vote • 2/10/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 67)

Yes: 96 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 3/12/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/13/2026Senate

  2. Approved by Governor 3/12/2026

    3/13/2026House

  3. Approved by Governor 3/13/2026 - House Journal

    3/13/2026House

  4. To Governor 3/6/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/9/2026Senate

  5. House Message received

    3/6/2026Senate

  6. To Governor 3/6/2026

    3/6/2026House

  7. House received Senate message

    3/5/2026House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 351)

    3/5/2026House

  9. Completed legislative action

    3/5/2026House

  10. On 3rd reading

    3/3/2026Senate

  11. Read 3rd time

    3/3/2026Senate

  12. Passed Senate with amended title (Roll No. 314)

    3/3/2026Senate

  13. Senate requests House to concur

    3/3/2026Senate

  14. On 2nd reading

    3/2/2026Senate

  15. Read 2nd time

    3/2/2026Senate

  16. On 1st reading

    2/27/2026Senate

  17. Read 1st time

    2/27/2026Senate

  18. Reported do pass, with title amendment

    2/26/2026Senate

  19. Without recommendation, but first to Judiciary

    2/21/2026Senate

  20. To Judiciary

    2/21/2026Senate

  21. Introduced in Senate

    2/12/2026Senate

  22. To Health and Human Resources then Judiciary

    2/12/2026Senate

  23. To Health and Human Resources

    2/12/2026Senate

  24. On 3rd reading with right to amend, Special Calendar

    2/10/2026House

  25. Read 3rd time

    2/10/2026House

Bill Text

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