West Virginia § 48-26-402 - 48-26-402. Requirements, qualifications and terms of licensure; collaboration to assist programs.

§ 48-26-402. 48-26-402. Requirements, qualifications and terms of licensure; collaboration to assist programs.

(a) No domestic violence program, abuse intervention program or monitored parenting and exchange program may represent that it is licensed unless it is licensed by the board pursuant to the provisions of this article and the legislative rules promulgated pursuant to this article.

(b) The board shall establish preliminary application and full application forms for the initial licensing of domestic violence programs, abuse intervention programs and monitored parenting and exchange programs.

(1) To meet basic eligibility requirements an applicant for licensure must complete a preliminary application form to demonstrate local need for the proposed service, method of governance and accountability, administrative and programmatic design, and fiscal efficiency. The board shall respond in writing within 60 days of receipt of the preliminary application;

(2) If the board approves the preliminary application, the applicant may complete a full application form;

(3) The board shall determine whether all documentation set forth on the licensure checklist has been submitted, and may request supplemental or clarifying information or documentation; and

(4) The board shall grant or deny a license within sixty days of the receipt of the completed full application form and all supplemental or clarifying information or documentation requested by the board.

(c) Licenses may be granted or renewed for periods not to exceed three years: Provided , That the board may conduct licensure reviews at any time during the licensure period, and may downgrade, suspend or revoke a license in accordance with the provisions of this article.

(d) The license granted by the board shall be prominently displayed by the licensees.

(e) The board may grant a provisional license for up to 180 days, to a program that is not in compliance with non-life threatening safety, programmatic, facility or administrative standards. A provisional license may be extended for up to an additional 180 days, if the board, in its sole discretion, determines that the program is making active progress toward compliance.

(f) The board may grant a conditional license for up to ninety days to a program that has violations of safety or accountability standards that may threaten the health, well-being or safety of its participants or staff, or the responsible operation of the program, or that have a history or pattern of noncompliance with established standards. If a program does not correct the violations within the conditional license period, the board may institute closure proceedings.

(g) The Department of Human Services, the Division of Justice and Community Services, the Family Protection Services Board, the WV Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and the Division of Corrections may, collectively or in any combination as appropriate to the program, collaborate to provide technical assistance to prevent and resolve deficiencies in a program's ability to meet the standards to operate and maintain licensure.

(h) If the board obtains information that a person or persons has engaged in, is engaging in or is about to engage in an act that constitutes or will constitute a violation of the provisions of this article or the legislative rules promulgated pursuant to this article, it may issue a notice to the person or persons to cease and desist the act, or apply to the circuit court for an order enjoining the act. Upon a showing that the person has engaged, is engaging or is about to engage in such an act, the court may order an injunction, restraining order or other order as the court considers appropriate.