Panel clears bill requiring DHS to share transition‑program info with schools for students with foster‑care experience

The committee heard counsel explain House Bill 4573, which would require the Department of Human Services to provide the West Virginia Department of Education and county boards with information about available post‑secondary transition programs and services for students with current or former foster‑care experience.

Counsel said the bill lists examples of the information that may be shared, clarifies that nothing in the bill prohibits the Department of Human Services from continuing to share information directly with students in foster care and their families as part of routine case management, and requires county boards to ensure information received is shared with appropriate school personnel. The bill would require transition discussions to begin in grade 8 as part of a student's personal education planning and calls for at least one informational touchpoint per year for students in grades 9 through 12.

The counsel also said the bill contains a privacy safeguard: it does not require disclosure of a student's foster‑care status in violation of state or federal privacy laws. The vice chair moved to report HB 4573 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass; the committee approved the motion by voice vote and the motion was declared adopted.