WV SB404

Authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Human Services to contract with both secular and faith-based organizations to provide child welfare services under Chapter 49 of the West Virginia Code

Faith-based organizations may serve as contractors without altering their religious character, internal governance, or removing religious art, icons, scripture, or symbols

The department cannot interfere with a faith-based organization's definition, development, practice, or expression of religious beliefs when contracting for services

Parents or legal guardians may object to their child's placement at a faith-based organization on religious expression grounds, requiring the department to find alternative placement as soon as reasonably possible

Disputes over placement at faith-based organizations, where the child or another parent/guardian wants the child to remain, must be set for a hearing