Bill > SB145

This bill modifies existing West Virginia law regarding compensation for panel attorneys, who are lawyers appointed to represent clients who cannot afford legal counsel. Primarily, it increases the hourly rates for both out-of-court work to $60 and in-court work to $80 for these attorneys. Additionally, it mandates that beginning December 1, 2026, Public Defender Services, the state agency overseeing these appointments, must annually report to specific legislative and judicial bodies a summary of legal services provided by panel attorneys acting as guardians ad litem. A guardian ad litem is a court-appointed individual, often an attorney, who represents the best interests of a child in legal proceedings, particularly in abuse and neglect cases. This report will detail various aspects of their work, including average time spent in meetings, number of cases handled, duration of child abuse or neglect proceedings, frequency of client visits and conferences, and billed hours for out-of-court, in-court, and travel time, while explicitly protecting attorney-client privilege.

Health and Social Services

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=145&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill