WV SB919

Requires Child Protective Services (CPS) representatives to make audio and video recordings of every investigatory interaction with members of the public under investigation for abuse and neglect allegations, using body cameras similar to law enforcement

Mandates that CPS workers obtain informed consent or a court order before recording interactions that occur in homes or other locations where the accused has an expectation of privacy

Requires all recordings made during investigations to be submitted to the court as evidence in any related proceedings

Mandates documentation of all communications between interested parties (those being investigated, guardians ad litem, CPS workers, and associated lawyers), including phone calls, texts, emails, and other forms of communication

Grants parents or parties under investigation the right to make their own recordings of communications related to the investigation, with equal evidentiary weight as recordings submitted by other parties