summary
Introduced
01/20/2026
01/20/2026
In Committee
02/12/2026
02/12/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
The purpose of this bill is to increase compensation for panel attorneys of the Public Defender Services; and requiring Public Defender Services to annually provide a report to certain state agencies summarizing legal services that are being provided by the submission of a voucher by panel attorneys serving as guardians ad litem in state courts.
AI Summary
This bill increases the hourly compensation for panel attorneys, who are lawyers appointed to represent clients unable to afford legal counsel, to a minimum of $100 per hour for all legal services, court appearances, and travel, and also sets a minimum hourly rate of $20 for paralegal services. Additionally, it mandates that Public Defender Services, the agency overseeing these panel attorneys, will annually publish the compensation rates on their website by June 15th for the upcoming fiscal year and requires Public Defender Services to begin reporting annually by December 1, 2026, to specific state agencies, including the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources and the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, a summary of legal services provided by panel attorneys acting as guardians ad litem (guardians appointed by the court to represent a child's interests in legal proceedings), detailing aspects like average case duration, client meetings, and billed hours.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Justice
Sponsors (7)
Vince Deeds (R)*,
Amy Grady (R),
Mark Maynard (R),
Robert Morris (R),
Mike Oliverio (R),
Rollan Roberts (R),
Tom Willis (R),
Last Action
To Finance (on 02/12/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=538&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill |
| Fiscal Note - Public Defender Services | http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Fiscalnotes/FN(2)/fnsubmit_recordview1.cfm?RecordID=954924565 |
| BillText | http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=sb538%20intr.htm&yr=2026&sesstype=RS&i=538 |
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