H. B. 4418

         (By Delegates Fleischauer, Barrett, Perdue,

         Staggers, Sponaugle, Eldridge, Hamilton, White,

              Pethtel, Tomblin and Barill)

         [Introduced February 5, 2014; referred to the

         Committee on Health and Human Resources.]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §9-5-22, relating to requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to consult with the Division of Personnel to establish a revised classification plan with a career ladder for certain social workers; making legislative findings; and requiring a report.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §9-5-22, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 5. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

§9-5-22. Career ladder for social workers; legislative findings.

    (a) The Legislature finds:

    (1) There is a need to protect West Virginia's most vulnerable youth, families and adults by stabilizing the professional social work and protective service workforce within the department. Recruitment to and retention in these crucial positions is challenging due to high caseloads, low and stagnant salaries, difficult work situations involving limited back-up or support, vicarious traumas, personal safety risks and enormous stress;

    (2) There is a need to stem the huge tide of turnover within the department in direct service occupations, and achieve costs savings from avoiding constantly training new employees. Too often the direct practice expertise of these employees is lost as they choose to move to less stressful positions in supervision or program management, or leave the department for the public sector entirely to obtain salaries more commensurate with their skills and expertise elsewhere; and

    (3) There is a need to promote a work culture of excellence by rewarding social workers who earn advanced degrees and want to remain in direct or advanced practice. Providing a meaningful career ladder would communicate that these more experienced, dedicated employees are valued by our state, and would improve organizational culture by allowing them to serve as mentors to more junior direct practice staff.

    (b) The commissioner is directed to consult with the Division of Personnel to establish a revised classification plan with a career ladder or tier for those social workers who perform advanced direct practice in their specific job functions. The plan shall be completed no later than July 1, 2014 and submitted to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Resources.

    NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require the Department of Health and Human Services to consult with the Division of Personnel to establish a revised classification plan with a career ladder for certain social workers by July 1, 2014. The bill makes legislative findings and requires a report.

    This section is new; therefore, it has been completely underscored.