Sen. Rollan Roberts

Maddy summarySB 544 provides a temporary increase in subsidy payments for kinship parents (relatives caring for children) to match foster parent rates, lasting up to six months. To qualify, kinship parents must complete a state and national criminal background check within five days of placement, pass the check, undergo a home safety screening, and receive a list of child-placing agencies from the Department of Human Services to assist with foster parent certification. The temporary payment begins within 30 days of placement and continues monthly until certification is achieved or the six-month period ends, whichever comes first. Kinship parents cover the cost of background checks and fingerprinting.

Maddy summarySB 524 requires each county Bureau of Social Services office to hold a monthly meeting to review operations and coordinate with state and local partners on child welfare issues. The meetings must address staffing, caseloads, service barriers, and child welfare metrics, and include participants like county officials, law enforcement, schools, and healthcare representatives. The Department of Human Services must provide annual training on child abuse reporting and inter-agency coordination, and counties must submit a summary report after each meeting. This bill directly affects county social services offices and the state/local agencies involved in child welfare services.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 10) is a symbolic recognition resolution, not a law. It directs the Senate to formally acknowledge "the Day of the Bible" at the Capitol, citing the historical significance of the 1782 Aitken Bible (the first complete English-language Bible printed in America) and the Bible's broader cultural and moral influence. The resolution encourages reflection on the Bible's role in shaping ethics, justice, and civic life, while affirming religious freedom. It does not create new policies or affect any specific group; it is purely a ceremonial acknowledgment by the Senate.

Maddy summarySB 530 expands West Virginia's Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations Unit within the State Police by requiring at least one retired State Police officer from each of the 21 police districts to join the unit, increasing its size to 21 members. The bill mandates that the unit maintain an office in every State Police district (located within local Human Services offices), coordinate closely with Child Protective Services, and track statewide data on child abuse/neglect cases without identifying individual cases. It also establishes rules for rehiring retired officers (requiring specific training but no pension accrual) and requires an annual report to the legislature on unit activities and case data. The unit will focus on investigating and prosecuting child abuse cases while supporting local law enforcement and social services.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 6 (SR 6) is a symbolic resolution recognizing West Virginia school custodians for their role in maintaining safe, clean learning environments. It does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges custodians' contributions to school safety, health, and student well-being through the Senate's official resolution. The resolution was adopted by the Senate on January 20, 2026, and directs copies to the School Service Personnel Association, the WV State Superintendent, and David Hallinan. As a non-binding resolution, it affects no individuals or entities through legal requirements, serving solely as a gesture of appreciation.

Maddy summarySCR 2 is a symbolic Senate Concurrent Resolution (not a law) introduced in West Virginia on January 19, 2026. It expresses legislative support for religious freedom in public spaces, specifically endorsing practices like public school students and teachers openly expressing their faith, accommodating religious observances in government settings, protecting religious symbols in public areas, and fostering respectful dialogue among faiths. The resolution cites historical documents and recent Supreme Court decisions (like *Kennedy v. Bremerton*) to frame its support for religious expression in public life. It does not create new legal requirements or change existing laws, as it is a non-binding statement of principle.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 523) requires West Virginia's Department of Human Services to seek termination of parental rights in specific new circumstances, directly affecting parents whose children are in state custody. It mandates termination petitions when: a child has been in foster/kinship/residential care for 15 of 22 months; a court finds abuse like abandonment, torture, or sexual abuse; a parent committed murder/manslaughter against a child or other family member; or a parent fails to contact a child for 18 months (excluding incarceration or treatment). The bill also clarifies time limits for "improvement periods" where courts allow parents time to address issues before termination proceedings. These changes aim to expedite permanency for children in unsafe situations while maintaining legal safeguards.

Maddy summarySB 542 (West Virginia Senate Bill 542) requires courts to issue final decisions in child abuse and neglect cases within 12 months of the initial petition being filed. This law directly affects courts handling these sensitive cases and aims to prevent prolonged legal delays. The key provision creates a strict deadline: courts must render disposition decisions (final rulings) no later than 12 months after the initial petition is officially submitted. The bill adds Section §49-4-611 to West Virginia law, replacing any existing longer timelines that might delay outcomes for children in foster care or protection proceedings.

Maddy summarySB 527 creates a new process for courts to offer alternatives to formal conviction, such as community service or treatment programs, for individuals facing certain criminal charges that could result in incarceration or in juvenile abuse and neglect cases. The bill establishes a specific procedure for requesting and reviewing these "pre-adjudicatory alternative dispositions," requiring courts to follow defined steps and documentation, including attaching certified copies of underlying court orders. It adds a new section (§49-4-607a) to West Virginia law and amends related sections to integrate this process into existing legal frameworks. This change directly affects defendants in eligible cases by providing an option to resolve their matter without a formal adjudication.

Maddy summarySB 529 requires West Virginia's Department of Human Services to create a 15-month pilot program contracting with private companies to provide caseworker aide services. These aides will handle administrative tasks using technology, freeing up child welfare caseworkers to spend more time directly interacting with children and families. The pilot will target districts with high caseloads, persistent staff vacancies, or high rates of children placed in out-of-state foster care. The department must maintain full supervisory control over cases and submit a report to the legislature evaluating the program's impact on caseworker time and outcomes.