Secretary of State Natalie E. Tennant has announced legislation that will allow West Virginians to volunteer to donate any overpayments to the Office under $25 to the Children’s Trust Fund.
Anyone who pays a fee to the Secretary of State’s Office will have an option, much like a tax check-off, on their filing form that would designate their refund of $25 or less to the Children’s Trust Fund. The process is completely voluntary on the part of the customer. Not only will every donation go to help a child in need by funding important programs, but it will also save the state money by not processing, printing, and mailing a refund check.
“Providing each and every child in West Virginia with the resources they need for a bright future is something that we all support,” said Tennant. “This bill proposes a simple, sensible way that we can support our state’s future generations while also saving on administrative costs.”
“We are very pleased that the Secretary of State and lawmakers have proposed this legislation in support of a very important cause – ending child abuse in West Virginia,” commented Jim McKay, State Director of Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia. “For more than 30 years, the Children’s Trust Fund has supported innovative, effective local programs in communities across West Virginia. This legislation will help more children have the great, healthy, happy and safe childhoods that they deserve.”
House bill sponsors include: Del. Erikka Storch (R-Ohio), Del. Allen Evans (R-Grant), Del. Jill Upson (R-Jefferson), Del. Kayla Kessinger (R-Fayette), Del. Matthew Rohrbach (R-Cabell), Del. William Romine (R-Tyler), Del. Mick Bates (D-Raleigh), Del. Michael Ferro (D-Marshall), Del. Doug Reynolds (D-Cabell), Del. Denise Campbell (D-Randolph), and Del. Shawn Fluharty (D-Ohio). The bill will be introduced soon.
