West Virginia bans cameras in foster children's bedrooms and bathrooms with medical exemptions

Original title: Prohibiting cameras and recording devices in bedrooms and bathrooms of foster children

Last action · March 4, 2026: To JudiciarySponsors: Adam Burkhammer and 3 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Proposed

West Virginia prohibits cameras and recording devices in the bedrooms and bathrooms of foster children, regardless of the child's age or caregiver concerns. The measure establishes strict exemptions for medically necessary monitoring equipment, baby monitors, and personal smart devices placed in conspicuous locations.

Why it matters

Foster parents and residential facilities must alter surveillance practices in private living spaces or face regulatory and legal compliance changes, while foster children gain explicit privacy protections in bedrooms and bathrooms.

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.

Directly affected

Foster children

Foster children gain explicit statutory privacy protections prohibiting cameras and recording devices in their bedrooms and bathrooms.

Directly affected

Foster parents

Foster parents must remove unauthorized cameras from bedrooms and bathrooms and ensure any medically necessary monitoring devices are visibly placed.

Directly affected

Residential treatment facilities

Residential facilities must update facility policies to comply with the prohibition of cameras in private resident spaces.

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

Are baby monitors allowed in a foster child's room under this bill?

Yes, but only if they are age-appropriate and the child has a medical diagnosis of severe physical disabilities, or behavioral, cognitive, or psychological disorders.

Can foster children still use smartphones or tablets in their bedrooms?

Yes, personal devices are allowed, but they cannot be used for monitoring purposes unless the child has a qualifying medical, behavioral, cognitive, or psychological diagnosis.

Can monitoring devices be hidden in a foster child's room if permitted by medical diagnosis?

No. Any permitted device, equipment, or smart device must be placed in a conspicuous location and may not be hidden, concealed, or obscured.

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · passed the House · in Senate committee.

Procedural history

19 actions

Mar 4, 2026SenateCommittee
To Judiciary
Mar 4, 2026SenateCommittee
Reported do pass, with amendment, but first to Judiciary
Jan 27, 2026SenateCommittee
To Health and Human Resources
Jan 27, 2026SenateCommittee
To Health and Human Resources then Judiciary
Jan 27, 2026SenateIntroduced
Introduced in Senate
Jan 23, 2026House
Communicated to Senate

Show 13 earlier actions

Jan 23, 2026HouseFloor
Passed House (Roll No. 14)
Jan 23, 2026House
Read 3rd time
Jan 23, 2026House
On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
Jan 22, 2026House
Read 2nd time
Jan 22, 2026House
On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
Jan 21, 2026House
Read 1st time
Jan 21, 2026House
On 1st reading, Special Calendar
Jan 20, 2026House
Do pass
Jan 19, 2026House
Markup Discussion
Jan 15, 2026HouseCommittee
To House Judiciary
Jan 15, 2026HouseIntroduced
Introduced in House
Jan 15, 2026HouseCommittee
To Judiciary
Jan 15, 2026HouseIntroduced
Filed for introduction

Version history

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