To extend conditional protection to employees of private child welfare agency or provider

HB 4542 amends West Virginia Code §49-2-205 to extend conditional liability protection to employees of private child welfare agencies or providers. The bill states these employees cannot be held personally liable for professional decisions made in their official duties, but this protection does not apply in cases of gross negligence, willful misconduct, or intentional harm. This change directly affects private agency staff working under state child welfare contracts, altering their legal exposure when performing their job responsibilities. The amendment updates existing law to clarify that liability protection applies to routine professional actions, while maintaining accountability for serious misconduct.