Improving West Virginia’s child welfare system is a major focus of the 2026 legislative session, and House Bill 4601 is part of that effort.
The bill would create a specialized State Police unit to investigate child abuse and neglect cases, made up of at least 21 retired troopers—one from each district. State Police Superintendent Colonel Jim Mitchell told lawmakers he would prefer hiring active-duty troopers instead, saying it would allow the department to invest long-term in trained investigators.
Funding concerns were raised during a House Judiciary meeting. The president of the West Virginia Troopers Association said while he supports the bill, the agency may not be able to afford it.
Despite those concerns, Mitchell said the State Police continue to hire troopers and purchase needed equipment.