CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The West Virginia Senate has advanced a bill that would increase payments for therapists and other professionals who provide early intervention services to young children with developmental delays.
Senate Bill 707 focuses on the West Virginia Birth-to-Three program, which offers support for children from birth to age three who have developmental challenges.
The bill passed on a 33-0 bipartisan vote on Saturday.
The bill ensures that therapists and other contracted professionals, who are not employed by the state, will receive a 25% pay increase for in-person services starting July 1, 2025.
Senator Brian Helton (R-Fayette) spoke in favor of the bill, highlighting how the individuals within the program more than deserve the raise.
“We have an unbelievably fantastic group of people that work in this field and who honestly almost volunteer their time,” Helton said. “It’s been over twenty years since these pay increases have gone to the people who work in this industry.”
The funding for these services comes from the West Virginia Birth-to-Three Fund, which is maintained by the state treasury.
The bill specifies that money in the fund will only be used for early intervention services and will not be redirected to other state programs.
Funding sources include legislative appropriations, transfers from state health divisions, public agency contributions, private donations, and fees paid by families or third-party payers.
The bill now moves to the House of Delegates for further consideration.
