2021 West Virginia Code
Chapter 49. Child Welfare
Article 4. Court Actions
§49-4-202. Notification of Possession of Relinquished Child; Department Responsibilities
(a) (1) Not later than the close of the first business day after the date on which a hospital or health care facility takes possession of a child pursuant to 49-4-201 of this code, the hospital or health care facility shall notify the Child Protective Services Division of the Department of Health and Human Resources that it has taken possession of the child and shall provide the division any information provided by the parent delivering the child. The hospital or health care facility shall refer any inquiries about the child to the Child Protective Services Division.
(2) Upon taking possession of a child pursuant to 49-4-201 of this code, a fire department shall:
(A) Deliver the child to the nearest hospital or health care facility as soon as possible, but transport may begin no later than 30 minutes upon taking possession of a child; and
(B) Notify the Child Protective Services Division of the Department of Health and Human Resources within two hours of taking possession of a child:
(i) That it has delivered the child and identify the hospital or health care facility to which it delivered the child; and
(ii) Provide the division any information provided by the parent delivering the child.
(3) The fire department shall refer any inquiries about the child to the Child Protective Services Division.
(b) The Department of Health and Human Resources shall assume the care, control, and custody of the child as of the time of delivery of the child to the hospital, health care facility, or fire department, and may contract with a private child care agency for the care and placement of the child after the child leaves the hospital, health care facility, or fire department.
