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Read. Follow. Verify.West Virginia Bill Authorizes Courts to Order Department of Human Services Payments for Professional and Social Services in Child Welfare Proceedings
Last action · February 16, 2026: To House JudiciarySponsor: J.B. Akers
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What This Bill Proposed
West Virginia House Bill 5568 allows courts to order the Department of Human Services to pay Medicaid rates for professional health care services or department-set rates for in child welfare proceedings under Chapter 49. If covered services for a child are not provided within 30 days, courts may order services from a provider at a higher rate. The bill also establishes objection procedures and agency payment obligations based on legal custody.
Changes how courts direct state funds for medical, therapeutic, and support services in child custody and welfare cases, impacting payment rates for providers and financial obligations for state custody agencies.
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Department of Human Services
The department is subject to court orders to pay for professional and socially necessary services at Medicaid or department-set rates.
Health care professionals and service providers
Providers are compensated for services rendered to children or parties in proceedings under Chapter 49 upon completion and submission of required documentation.
Children and parties in proceedings under Chapter 49
Eligible individuals receive court-ordered professional, therapeutic, and socially necessary services during legal proceedings.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is required to pay for court-ordered professional or socially necessary services?
What happens if a required medical service for a child is not provided within 30 days?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.
Procedural history
4 actions- Feb 16, 2026HouseCommitteeTo House Judiciary
- Feb 16, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced in House
- Feb 16, 2026HouseCommitteeTo Judiciary
- Feb 16, 2026HouseIntroducedFiled for introduction
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
www.wvlegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 55)
- Controversy25Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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