HB4863

West Virginia Refugee Absorptive Capacity Act establishes criteria for local governments to assess refugee and immigrant resettlement capacity.

The West Virginia Refugee Absorptive Capacity Act establishes criteria for local governments to assess their capacity to resettle refugees and immigrants. It requires local governments to consider factors such as the impact on local workers, law enforcement, social services, and public health. The act allows for a moratorium on resettlement if a local government determines it lacks sufficient capacity. It also mandates quarterly consultations between state and local agencies and requires the state to collect fees for resettlement activities.