Senate honors CASA; senators press for comprehensive review of West Virginia child-welfare system

The West Virginia Senate on Feb. 19 adopted a resolution recognizing Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and heard several senators press for a broad, independent review of the state’s child-welfare and foster care systems.

CASA volunteers and directors attended the session and were recognized from the Senate floor. Senator from Jefferson (State Senator) introduced the resolution and described CASA’s role, saying, "CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate... These folks are on the front line of helping our kids in West Virginia who have to face, the horrible conditions and trauma that get them in front of a court or a judge." The senator also disclosed, "I do sit on their state board," and asked colleagues to support the organization.

The recognition proceeded as part of a broader exchange on child welfare. Senator from Cabell (State Senator) urged lawmakers to take the issue beyond ceremonial recognition, noting, "We have 6,000 children in foster care in our state. 6,000." He criticized the pace of legislative response and said he has not seen corresponding bills aimed at those children despite the widespread need. "To me, that should be the top priority of this session, is the kids that are in foster care," he said.

Junior senator from seventh (State Senator) echoed the concern and announced plans to introduce legislation. "I will have a bill, that'll soon be introduced... a full scale deep dive by an independent third party who can dig into the issues of child welfare in West Virginia," the senator said, describing the proposed measure as intended to identify interconnected problems and offer solutions rather than piecemeal fixes.

The resolution recognizing CASA was adopted by roll call: 31 yays, 0 nays, 3 absent and not voting. The Senate record shows senators repeatedly praised CASA volunteers as unpaid advocates who assist children through court and social-service processes.

Votes at a glance - Senate Resolution 9 (recognizing Court Appointed Special Advocates): adopted, roll call 31–0–3. - Senate Resolution 10 (designating 02/20/2025 as Human Resources Day): adopted, roll call 31–0–3. - Senate Resolution 11 (recognizing Cottage Hill Farm): adopted, roll call 31–0–3.

Other business - The Senate received committee reports from the Judiciary Committee (chair: Mike Stewart) recommending committee substitutes do pass for multiple bills, including Senate Bill 136 (modifying parole eligibility for persons serving sentence for first-degree murder) and a package of bills and rules related to assault forensic examinations; the committee reports were presented to the chamber but no final floor votes on those measures are recorded in the transcript excerpt. - Senator from Lewis (State Senator) requested unanimous consent to introduce and refer a block of bills (Senate Bills 545–562) to appropriate committees; the request was ordered without objection. - Several bills were ordered engrossed or advanced for further reading, including committee substitutes advanced toward third reading (listed on the record: Senate Bills 138, 139, 269, 240, 283, and others). A motion to "lie over one day" for an engrossed bill related to vaccine requirements (Senate Bill 460) was granted while retaining its place on the calendar.

Why it matters Lawmakers framed the CASA recognition as a reminder that volunteer advocates play a critical role for children in abuse, neglect, and foster-care proceedings. Several senators used the ceremony to press for legislative action, including an independent, comprehensive study of West Virginia’s child-welfare system — a step sponsors say is needed before adopting longer-term statutory remedies.

What’s next Junior senator from seventh said he will introduce the study bill soon. The Senate adjourned until 10 a.m. tomorrow and committee meetings on health and human resources, judiciary, and other subjects were announced on the calendar.