West VirginiaSupreme Court is asked to use commissioners in child welfare cases
The Supreme Court of Appeals is asked to run a trial program with attorneys who can manage parts of child welfare cases, while judges keep final authority.
What it does
The Supreme Court of Appeals is asked to use child protection commissioners to manage parts of child welfare cases. They may hold hearings and recommend decisions, but circuit judges keep final authority over the listed matters.
Certain retired attorneys may work for the Supreme Court of Appeals as commissioners or circuit court law clerks while keeping retirement payments, if they meet the job and vacancy rules.
Argument forCommissioners could help courts handle child welfare cases by managing hearings and case plans, supporting the pilot’s goal of more efficient cases and accountability.
Argument againstFamilies could face more steps because commissioners may hold hearings and recommend decisions, while circuit judges keep final authority over the listed matters.
More detail
The Supreme Court of Appeals is asked to create a trial program using child protection commissioners to manage parts of child welfare cases. Commissioners must be West Virginia attorneys with juvenile-law experience or training, as court rules determine. The Supreme Court appoints them for renewable two-year terms and oversees their work. Each appointment lasts two years and may be renewed.
The Supreme Court of Appeals may hire certain retired attorneys as child protection commissioners or circuit court law clerks without suspending their retirement payments. This applies to licensed attorneys who receive, or qualify to receive, retirement benefits under the public employees’ retirement system and are hired by the Supreme Court of Appeals. The attorney must meet the job’s minimum qualifications and have been retired for at least 60 days. The attorney may work under this provision only while the job is vacant. The vacancy must remain posted until a qualified regular employee fills it.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 29Chapter 91, Acts, Regular Session, 2026Latest
- Apr 1Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026Major
- Mar 25To Governor 3/25/26To Governor
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026 - House JournalMajor
- Vote recorded PASSAGE-SENATE AMENDED HB. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026 - Senate JournalBecame Law
- Mar 14To Governor 3/25/2026 - Senate JournalMinor
- Mar 14House Message received
- Mar 14Completed legislative action
- Mar 14Communicated to Senate
- Mar 14House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 665)
- Mar 14House received Senate message
- Mar 12Senate requests House to concur
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 12Passed Senate with amended title (Roll No. 517)Passed Senate
- Mar 12Committee amendment as amended adopted (Voice vote)
- Mar 12Amendment to committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
- Mar 12Committee amendment reported
- Mar 12Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 12On 3rd reading with right to amend
- Mar 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 11On 2nd reading
- Mar 10Read 1st timeMinor
- Mar 10Immediate consideration
- Mar 10Reported do pass, with amendment and title amendmentMinor
- Mar 5To JudiciaryMinor
- Mar 5To JudiciaryMinor
- Mar 5Introduced in SenateMinor
- Mar 4Communicated to Senate
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 4Passed House (Roll No. 338)Passed House
- Mar 4Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 4On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Mar 3Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 3On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
- Mar 2Read 1st timeMinor
- Mar 2Immediate consideration
- Mar 2Do pass
- Mar 2Originating in House Judiciary
- Mar 2Introduced in HouseMinor
- Mar 2Filed for introductionIntroduced
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