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West VirginiaHB 43902026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Relating to the temporary payment to a kinship parent of a subsidy equal to that of a foster parent

Sponsored By: Adam Burkhammer (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§49-2-27b

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Foster-level payments for kinship caregivers

Kinship caregivers get a temporary payment equal to the foster parent rate. To qualify, you must submit state and national background checks within 5 days, DHS must be satisfied with the results, and you must fix any life-safety issues found in the initial home screen. Payments start within 30 days, are paid on the first business day each month, and can last up to six months while you work on foster certification. If you are unable or unwilling to become certified by six months, the temporary increase stops. The Department of Human Services gives you a list of child-placing agencies to help, and other kinship resources stay available even if you are not certified.

Kinship background checks and privacy rules

The Department of Human Services can run state and national background checks and use fingerprints with state police and the FBI for kinship screening. You must make sure the check is finished as soon as possible after placement, and you pay the actual costs of fingerprinting and the checks. Your results are private: they are not public records, and private groups cannot get or share them unless you sign a release or a court orders it.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Adam Burkhammer

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Scot C. Heckert

    Republican • House

  • John Paul Hott

    Republican • House

  • Erica Moore

    Republican • House

  • Mickey Petitto

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 127 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/11/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 460)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 2/26/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 201)

Yes: 93 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter 68, Acts, Regular Session, 2026

    8/13/2026House

  2. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026

    4/1/2026House

  3. To Governor 3/18/2026

    3/18/2026House

  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. On 3rd reading

    3/11/2026Senate

  9. Read 3rd time

    3/11/2026Senate

  10. Passed Senate (Roll No. 460)

    3/11/2026Senate

  11. Communicated to House

    3/11/2026Senate

  12. Completed legislative action

    3/11/2026Senate

  13. On 2nd reading

    3/10/2026Senate

  14. Read 2nd time

    3/10/2026Senate

  15. On 1st reading

    3/9/2026Senate

  16. Read 1st time

    3/9/2026Senate

  17. Reported do pass

    3/6/2026Senate

  18. Reported do pass, but first to Finance

    3/4/2026Senate

  19. To Finance

    3/4/2026Senate

  20. Introduced in Senate

    2/27/2026Senate

  21. To Health and Human Resources then Finance

    2/27/2026Senate

  22. To Health and Human Resources

    2/27/2026Senate

  23. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

    2/26/2026House

  24. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

    2/26/2026House

  25. Read 3rd time

    2/26/2026House

Bill Text

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