WV HB4796

Requires the West Virginia Department of Human Services to contract with at least two central reception centers operating 24/7 to provide temporary shelter, behavioral assessment, and case coordination for children awaiting foster placement

Limits stays at central reception centers to a maximum of 72 hours, after which children must be placed in an emergency resource home or other suitable foster home

Mandates expansion of emergency resource home recruitment statewide, with specialized training in trauma-informed care, financial incentives for foster parents, and 24/7 crisis response team support

Prioritizes recruitment of emergency resource homes for adolescents, justice-involved youth, and children with special needs in high-need areas

Requires annual reporting to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources by December 1 on children served, placement success rates, behavioral intervention effectiveness, and home recruitment progress