hcr49 intr

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 49
(By Delegates Cowles, Andes, Duke, Eldridge, Ellem, Hall, Hatfield, Mahan, McGeehan, C. Miller, J. Miller, Overington, Rodighiero, Romine, Rowan, Shook, Sobonya and Stowers)

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance direct the Legislative Auditor to conduct an audit of the Child Protective Services Division.

Whereas, A September 1996 legislative audit of the Child Protective Services Division for the 1995 fiscal year, involving a twelve county survey, found that despite the requirement that it conduct a face-to-face interview with a child or children within fourteen days of being notified of suspected abuse or neglect, the Child Protective Services Division failed to conduct any such interview in forty-six percent of the cases; and
Whereas, In twenty-nine percent of the cases, the Child Protective Services Division conducted the interview within fourteen days; and
Whereas, In fifteen percent of the cases, the Child Protective Services Division conducted the interview within fifteen to ninety days; and
Whereas, In ten percent of the cases, the Child Protective Services Division took over ninety days to interview the alleged victims; and
Whereas, This information may be verified by reviewing information from the office of the Legislative Auditor, Performance Evaluation and Research Division, September 1996 Report; and
Whereas, In light of past reports a legislative audit is needed to determine if the Child Protective Services Division is meeting requirements in cases of suspected abuse or neglect; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to direct the Legislative Auditor to conduct a legislative audit of the Child Protective Services Division; and, be it
Further Resolved, That Legislative Auditor report to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance in the interim session of the Legislature, 2010, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this audit and to prepare a report be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.