WV SB727

Requires the Department of Human Services to hire an independent third party to conduct a comprehensive study of West Virginia's child welfare system, with the Department responsible for paying for the study

Study must evaluate administration of child abuse and neglect laws, including performance of judges, attorneys, child protective services workers, and DHS administrators

Study must examine foster care, child placement, adoption processes, opportunities to reduce child removal rates, facilitate family reunification, and increase system transparency and accountability

Independent third party must present written findings and recommendations for legislative and executive action to the Joint Committee on the Judiciary by September 1, 2026

DHS must provide the third party access to all requested information, contingent on the third party signing a confidentiality agreement binding them to the same confidentiality rules as DHS