Bill > HB4785

This bill increases the hourly compensation rate for panel attorneys, who are lawyers appointed to represent clients who cannot afford legal counsel, to a minimum of $100 per hour for all legal services, court appearances, and travel, and also sets a minimum rate of $20 per hour for paralegal services. It also mandates that the West Virginia Public Defender Services, an agency that oversees these panel attorneys, will annually publish the compensation rates on their website by June 15th for the upcoming fiscal year. Additionally, the bill requires Public Defender Services to begin reporting annually, starting December 1, 2026, to specific state agencies, including the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources and the Foster Care Ombudsman, on the legal services provided by panel attorneys acting as guardians ad litem (a court-appointed representative for a child in legal proceedings) in state courts, detailing aspects like average case duration, attorney involvement, client interactions, and billed hours, while ensuring no privileged client information is disclosed.

Justice

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4785&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill